Here’s what I sent to the paper tonight, asking them to print a correction in tomorrow’s paper:

“I appreciate the concessions made by the executive/confidential bargaining unit, but voted against approving the contract. We don’t yet know how much and where the state will cut or how negatively the county’s budget will be impacted.

The direction we gave on the 09/10 budget was grim and we have heard we may have an additional $3 million in cuts from the state. I fear the compensation package approved Tuesday will cause us to regret having acted in advance of better information.

As generous as the employees have been, we are heading into even more desperate economic times. We need to be very, very lean to provide the highest service levels possible to the residents of Tuolumne County. I argued negotiating more concessions from the executive/confidential staff in closed session on Tuesday, but as evidenced by the 4/1 outcome, did not convince my colleagues.”

The organization adds measurably to our quality of life and our economy. Originally the Arts Council had asked for $17,000, but when when it appeared that the Board was struggling with their request, it was reduced to a meager $5,000.

The Arts Council is conservative with every penny they raise. They apply for grants, members pay dues, and the executive director is also the janitor. The request would not have contributed significantly to the organization’s already modest budget, but would have signalled that the county values and goes beyond symbolic support for the Arts Council.

They weren’t asking for much, they deserve our support. But I still could not vote yes. Here’s why…

I’m concerned about the potential local impacts of the now-estimated $20 billion state budget shortfall. Conservative fiscal management in Tuolumne County has allowed us to be positioned well to weather short term consequences (the remainder of this fiscal year), but the state’s crisis will likely be long term (multiple years).

Several months ago I voted against raises for county elected officials (the Board has not taken a raise for a number of years although it approved raises for other elected officials) and staff this year and next, even though all of them work incredibly hard to provide services with inadequate funding. Those no votes brought me no pleasure either.

I voted no on the Arts Council’s request because I simply can’t vote against the people who work hard for the county to carry out the Board’s policies and provide services to you and then support an organization outside the county.

These are tough times and getting tougher.

I am a member of the Arts Council and believe it is an integral part of creating and maintaining our quality of life and a thriving local economy. How I wish I could have done otherwise.

Unfortunately, in their understandable disappointment over the outcome, folks who asked for the resolution did not hear what I was saying and believe that my message is that I do not care about or respect them. Not true.

Here’s part of an email I received this morning.

My wife and I voted for you in the last election, but now, sadly, we want our votes back. What on earth could have caused you to vote against Gay Pride? Homophobic fear? Fear of backlash from bigots in the community? What? It was just a vote to give a small section of the community something to feel good about. What’s to fear in that?

When we cast our votes for you we thought we were voting for someone who was at least somewhat progressive, who cared about the community, about its people, and about bringing us ALL together. Unfortunately, your vote against the Gay Pride issue has shown us otherwise. We are very disappointed in you, in the Board of Supervisors, and in the County in general for not having the foresight to see that a vote against Gays is basically a vote against all of us. You may not like them, you may not understand them, or want them around. But guess what…they are here, and they are not going away. Division has never solved any problem, and it won’t work here.

Part of the problem with the message this writer heard and chose to believe is that there are other reasons besides homophobia to vote no on the resolution. It is important that anyone who is angry and anyone who is pleased with my vote understands what no means to me. It does not mean that I discriminate and it certainly does not mean that I agree with or condone those who do. Here’s my response to this morning’s email.

I am really glad you wrote. I am also glad that you live where you can watch the Board meeting on Saturday (on Channel to hear the whole discussion and what I said. Unfortunately the newspaper condenses all the discussion down to 1 or 2 sentences. Will you commit to watching the agenda item before you judge me? A big part of my campaign rested on gathering all the facts before I make a decision – I do that – and I hope you do the same.

I certainly understand your disappointment and that of the folks that attended to ask the Board for the resolution. The resolution was presented so that anyone who does not support it (for whatever reason) was characterized as taking the opposite view. Not true for me. I don’t fit in that characterization and said I do not discriminate and won’t tolerate lack of respect for gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals, and transgender individuals.

I have no difficulty myself or as a Board honoring Jerry Cadotte’s accomplishments on behalf of those with AIDS or the PFLAG representative’s (I can’t think of her name right now) tireless efforts on behalf of those she cares about. My point is that we need to honor individuals for accomplishments…

Again, no means something very different than the message that was attributed to it. My vote was not against anyone but for attributing recognition of individual accomplishment, instead of attributing recognition for belonging and characteristics.

Individuals – regardless of affiliation and orientation – are valuable role models, demonstrate leadership, educate those afraid of difference and diversity, and serve as a source of great pride to this supervisor and to the entire community.