A little civility, please

I have been increasingly disappointed in the negative rhetoric associated with some local efforts to encourage Rancho Murieta residents to vote against the proposed Community Center.

Clearly, we all have the right to form our own opinions on the relative merits of this proposal, and to decide if we wish to support it financially.  But,  comments that tend to impune the motivation, integrity and/or character of the people involved in developing the proposal…namely the RMA Board of Directors, the special planning committee established by the Board, and the RMA General Manager, have no place in the kind of civil discourse that this important proposal deserves. Nor, do I believe, is it consistent with the character of our community.

The RMA Board was elected by popular vote of our community, and devotes its considerable collective talent and, especially, time on our behalf in administering the affairs of the RMA voluntarily. It’s an often thankless task, and deserves our respect.  In pursuing the proposed Community Center, they are simply fulfilling their responsibilities to finally, after many years of discussion, explore the feasibility of a facility that many residents have identified as being  needed.

The special planning committee that was appointed by the Board to investigate a potential Center, was hand picked to provide the kind of experience and expertise that such a task demanded.  The Business Plan this committee subsequently prepared for community review was, in my opinion, extremely well done.  It reflected a serious, objective and very thorough analysis of the design, construction, operation and financial requirements of a proposed Center. I, for one, appreciate the time and effort that went into this project.  That group provided a firm basis for community evaluation of the proposal and had nothing to gain from their efforts…other than the satisfaction of serving the needs of our community.

The RMA General Manager, Nick Arther, is clearly a champion of the proposed Center, and for all the right reasons. He is motivated by an obviously strong commitment to our community and its needs, and conveys a can –do attitude that I find refreshing.  His job is to help administer the RMA in such a manner as to fulfill the current and long term needs of our community, and I’m confident that that’s what motivates him.

As to the Center proposal itself, we all have to evaluate it based on our perception of its benefits to the community, and our individual willingness to help finance it.  To me, the current and long term benefits of a community center as outlined in the Business Plan seem obvious. Potentially, it could serve the needs of the entire Rancho Murieta demographic, while, in the long term, contributing to increased property values.  But, of most importance to me is that it would contribute in a significant way to the character of our community…the essence of which makes this such a wonderful place to live.   By “character”, I mean that combination of qualities or features that distinguishes our community from most all others. It’s the quality that attracts people to our community and, once here, makes them fall in love with it and its people.

In the forty years of my professional life, my wife and I have had the privilege of living in several, wonderful communities involving six Western States.  We found things to enjoy in every one of them.  But, none of them can compare to what we have found since moving to Rancho Murieta over fifteen years ago.  We truly feel blessed to live here, and will continue to do everything we can to help contribute to the unique character of our community.  The proposed Community Center is high on our list, and it is our hope that the majority of our neighbors will join us in supporting it.

Joe Mazzoni Sr.