Serwatka Offers New Year’s Greetings

An email to Lakewood residents from Village Trustee Paul Serwatka:

Serrwatka letterheadHappy New Year!

Replying to a resident’s email this morning, I thought I would share my sentiments with all Lakewood friends & neighbors. Particularly, since there are now many who have more recently joined my email list, who I have not really had the chance to speak with or establish a rapport with.

The hundreds of neighbors who I have met and spoken with, know that it’s important to me that everyone understand that I did not become a village trustee because of any aspirations to be such. I have no desire to be viewed as an “elected official” or to govern over anyone. With this thought, I am always reminded of a quote by Daniel Webster that I find to be somewhat disconcerting:

“There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters.”

This in mind, I tend to be a bit leery when I hear anyone talk about their aspirations to run for a political office and I cringe when I hear them say things like “I’ve always wanted to be a trustee/mayor/state representative/congressman/etc”.

I’ve learned there are three primary reasons that people run for political office. They are referred to as “The three P’s of politics”. They are: Power, Prestige and Pecuniary(money).

Sadly, I have found this to be overwhelmingly true and I believe very strongly that anyone who desires to hold a political office in an effort to achieve any of the “three P’s” has ABSOLUTELY NO BUSINESS in a position of power/control over others.

My involvement in government has always been that of a “government watchdog.” I’ve worked with several others in an effort to hold government accountable, to make sure the peoples voice was heard, and to help get honest people elected. And while my focus had previously been more on state and county government, certain events made it quite apparent that a “watch dog” presence was needed right here in our own village. Hence, my launching a write-in campaign to become a village trustee.

I implore residents to always remember that I, nor any other village official, is an expert or in anyway smarter than, or superior to, any resident. We, as residents, can not defer to village officials as if they have all the answers and we must always remind our village officials of this, lest they forget!

Those who govern can become quite dangerous when they begin to believe that they know better than we, what is best for us! Thus, we must remain vigilant in holding those who govern over us, in check.

As I have told hundreds of residents, in order for me to be a true representative, I will need, and rely upon, your input and your individual areas of expertise as we go along.

Please know that your thoughts, questions and concerns truly are first and foremost in my heart. They are the very reason that I became a trustee. Without your input, I will be a much less effective trustee and less able to represent you. I hope you will share my sentiments with other neighbors and encourage them to share their input with me as well.

If I can share one last thought/reminder with you – one that I believe is very fitting at this time – and in our village – this is one of my favorite quotes from my all time favorite founding father, Patrick Henry:

“The liberties of a people will never be secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.”

I wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Working for better government,

Serwatka signature Lakewood Trustee

 


Comments

Serwatka Offers New Year’s Greetings — 8 Comments

  1. While some people make phone calls, Paul puts it all out there for everyone to see.

    At some point people see through the deception, mis-characterizations, and political double speak.

    You don’t have to worry about someone writing this for Paul.

    He wrote this himself.

    And I am not sure who better articulates the Founding Fathers better, locally, than Paul… and then actually practices what he speaks.

    We need more people in government like Paul Serwatka.

  2. Paul, great message.

    However, when do you intend to make a public statement regarding your vote on 11/24/15 to accept a proposal for fire and ems protection, effective today, that will cost the residents more for actually less services (longer call times into and around the village, shared resources with the entire CLFD service area including CL Rural, etc).

    You committed to do so in your email blast on 11/25/15 but to date you have been silent on the matter.

    You also said in today’s email blast,

    “I’ve worked with several others in an effort to hold government accountable, to make sure the peoples voice was heard, and to help get honest people elected.”

    Currently (and sadly so), I don’t believe that you are holding yourself accountable by ignoring a simple request to please explain your reasoning to vote in favor of the new fire services agreement.

  3. WHO could those comments about the “always wannabe’s” possibly apply to in this race?

    *cough* Allen Skillicorn? *cough*

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