This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Whose Opinion Counts More?

The value of each individual’s opinions is subject to debate and there’s a whole lot of that argument going on here in Wildomar.

Our Constitution calls for citizens’ equality before the law, and the First Amendment guarantees citizens free speech (with some very practical limitations) and the right to vote.  However, there is no such equality when it comes to the value of personal opinions.

Most reasonable people think that if someone has in-depth knowledge on a subject or long term experience with certain matters, that their opinions are more salient or applicable than someone who hasn’t taken the time to research the details or simply ops to adopt and support the city’s actions...so the debate rages on in this new election year.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

However, it is rational to assume that people who’ve lived in Wildomar for a long time and witnessed its history or participated in its governance under the county have a much greater depth of knowledge and understanding of issues the community has lived through and which inherently influence current issues. 

Take, for example, Wildomar’s parks history and the divided opinions of newer residents, more recently-arrived city officials, and long term residents. 

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Those who have experienced firsthand the rise and fall of the poorly managed, ill-fated Ortega Trails, and have lived through former park closures, unconstitutional parcel taxes, faulty and incomplete rehabilitation work, and terribly imbalanced recreational programs and events, maintain they do have a better understanding of current parks issues.

It is a shame when citizens won’t take the time to research the history or background on issues before forming their opinions – especially when the Internet provides easy access to free information.  See the following link for details:

After all, most sensible people would agree that the past does inform the present and influence the future.  And, there is a legitimate concern in Wildomar that in failing to understand our own history and that of our neighboring cities, the mistakes of the past are being repeated once again.

Perhaps a New Year's resolution is in order for those who simply skim the surface of issues; dig a bit deeper than just taking a stand based on what the Wildomar officials say, and get down to the facts before forming your personal opinions!

In the end one of two things become the arbiter of opinion; the citizens’ vote or the decisions of our court system.

For more of my opinions and commentary follow this link

                         The WildomarWatcher

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?