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I volunteered for my town Planning Commission last year and have to deal with this all the time now. Residents are constantly ranting on social media accusing u

I volunteered for my town Planning Commission last year and have to deal with this all the time now. Residents are constantly ranting on social media accusing us of moving town borders, down-zoning our enemies, holding secret votes, and cutting deals. In reality, the only thing we did last year was approve a swimming pool and do some research on parking. It's extremely stressful for me as an introvert, but I quietly and patiently explain concepts like due process and open-hearings when I have the opportunity. I stress that everything we do is open to public scrutiny and public comment. I explain that we can't engage on Facebook because it's not an official public forum. I invite people to attend our meetings or read our meeting minutes, but they never do. Real government is incredibly boring and complicated. Its much more fun to rant and rave about conspiracies on social media.

slfnflctd 9y ago
Every time I've had to deal with the general public in any kind of scheduled gathering for policy discussion, with or without specialists present, someone inevitably says something (loudly and at length) which displays such an utter lack of understanding of what the meeting is for and what it can accomplish that it makes me scream inside. It makes me feel terrible for those who are facilitating. I got so furious the last time it happened that I walked out and left my favorite water bottle behind. We should have great respect for anyone with even remotely good intentions who is willing to plow through this mess of misguided humanity to get something useful done. I'm pretty sure I can't do it, so if I want to see change happen I have to support those who can.