Mudslinging and Such.

I knew last week as soon as my story in the Monticello Times went live that I'd receive a mixture of feedback. And it came pouring in.

My email box filled. Surprisingly full of support. And all from residents of Monticello. I didn't receive one email disagreeing or questioning my argument. On the Times website I got mixed feedback, some good, some bad, some just plain terrible. The mudslinging began. Low blows were had about me and my "Look at me" website, my "Princess disease" and calling me selfish and self centered.

But honestly, it's hard to take these sorts of comments seriously when they are signed by names like "Pizza Pizza" and "WOW WEE". I mean, really?

I knew that the mayor would reply to my story. And he did. Today. You can read it here.

While it's certainly more on topic than I expected, there is an innacuracy or two that I have asked the editor to look into and clarify.

For the record, I didn't refuse a meeting with the mayor. Actually I suggested it and he suggested for me to call him on the phone instead. Which I didn't do and explained via email that there is more accountability in email. But he is right that I did refuse to attend a council meeting right after he told me the issue to him was closed. Hmm.

But all of that, minutiae.

I don't have to get my way. I can take no as an answer. The bigger question and issue is why does this particular city have such trouble responding to feedback and actually taking the time (more than a board room discussion) to look into possible change.

That's all I asked. It didn't happen. It's not going to happen. And I am completely resolved with that.

I know the truth. I have all the facts behind me, including the emails Mr. Herbst has offered to send to anyone that requests them. Please do! The editor fact checked my story before publication as he should have and several people in my life have read the correspondence all the way back since January when I was emailing with the director of the center.

I could spend more time and energy defending myself, my website, my person, asking why or how or why not and I will get the same result. An old school mayor at a loss of answers besides bringing up the infamous political tactic, taxes.

I am NOT a Monticello taxpayer and I am NOT a member of their community center. That has never been a secret.

But I was a patron who asked a question and kept asking the question and I know my answer.

J often tells me that I'm more and more like my mom everyday and to me, that is the biggest compliment I could ever receive. And here, right now, my mom would have some terrific one liner and she'd let it go and say "Don't fight for the battle if it means you'll lose the war."

I don't have the really great one-liner but I am letting it go. I may have lost the battle but I did not lose the war.

The war here being my dignity. I'm staying out of the trenches on this one. And I'm walking away with my head still up.