Due Diligence versus Self-Preservation?
Proposed Changes to the Hampson House?
Readers take note: If you were among those who expressed interest in attending the County’s public hearing on a proposed change to the Hampson House in Oysterville, you need to know that the hearing has been postponed. According to the DCD (Department of Community Development) the matter will be heard sometime in February. No date set yet.
I thought long and hard before mentioning this change in today’s blog. A week ago, when I devoted my daily entry to the history of the properties to our north (http://sydneyofoysterville.com/2018/next-door-north/), I was totally unprepared for the ensuing ‘conversation’ on FaceBook, in my email, and in the comment section of the blog, itself. Most of the remarks were prompted by a neighbor’s response that what I had written was “an alarmist call to arms.”
I was so amazed at that take on my words that I had to re-read what I had written. Twice. Neither reading helped me put together his comment with the words of my blog. Apparently, his reaction was just as mysterious to most of the folks who responded. That was somewhat reassuring. If there was one take-away from my first-ever journalism class at San Rafael High School (about a gazillion years ago) that I still think is important, it is to be clear about what you mean. “Say what you mean; mean what you say” was the mantra we learned from Miss Girardo. Subtle, underlying messages are not part of my writing style nor my intention.
Screenshot – Jan. 19, 2018 Blog
On the other hand, I am thin-skinned and a little naïve when it comes to others’ reactions to what I write. Invariably, when I am misunderstood, I go back to what I said or wrote to see how I could have stated it better. And, I am always amazed that, despite all the instant-this and cyber-that, communication is still the most difficult of all our human interactions. Sometimes I don’t think we’ve progressed far from the growls and grunts of our cavemen (do we have to say cavepeople, now?) ancestors. In the interest of self-preservation, I am tempted not to post this. But, once again due diligence is winning out over my hypersensitivity.
I was as puzzled as you about what happened last week. There was absolutely nothing inflammatory in your blog about the Hampton House. I majored in journalism at the UW and it was just reporting, with no sentiment, although some of your readers expressed it. It is difficult NOT to feel protective of pieces of writing. They are like children and you don’t like people disrespecting your offspring! “Call to arms”, indeed! I am envisioning you, carrying a pitchfork, leading a band torch bearing Oysterville citizens in some sort of insurrection. Someone is fond of hyperbole.