Funny thing is, when I have relayed that story to others, even those who DO speak for more than themselves in the Harbor, they sigh and say "Yeah, that's pretty typical of what we have to deal with."

I don't know...we've always felt welcomed in the Harbor in many different venues, even in "cliquey" Montesano (one well-known generational lifer realtor told us "you don't want to buy there, people are snooty"). Wearing the Green and Gold to a Seahawks game? Not so much, until the Packers kicked bird butt then people actually warmed up and said "good game." This board? Ehhhhhh...LOL!

Anyway, we like it here and have no plans to leave. And we've seen some positive changes in our six years in Grays Harbor. They are encouraging. We are very appreciative of those who continue to give their blood, sweat, tears, and finances to make the Harbor an even better place to live.

I'm thinkin' since you have felt welcomed on the Harbor, that your experience negates what people say and should make you question how accurate it is. I often hear people saying things about this area but I have rarely seen what they say happens, actually happen.

ETA: And I'm wondering who these people are who DO speak for others. I've never given anyone permission to speak for me.

It may just mean that we're extra likable people upon actually meeting.

You can usually break down social resistance by being genuinely interested in others,
and demonstrating a willingness to be helpful and part of solutions.

They would be elected Harbor officials.

I disagree. I have never elected anybody to speak for me on social issues that have nothing to do with policies, budgets, and the other types of things that elected officials are responsible for. This is totally outside their scope.

I can see that this has struck a sensitive nerve in you.
Noted that no one speaks for you concerning social issues in the Harbor, not even elected officials of the generational lifer category, who also happen to prefer the Democratic Party...and the "we" they use in general does not pertain in any way to you. Like I really thought that every single person with roots in the Harbor felt the same identical way about any given issue. And local social issues do drive many local policies. In case you hadn't noticed, there's no shortage of issues in the Harbor.

I think I can speak for all of us when I say no one speaks for any of us.

Funny, but silly.

What are elections all about, if not to appoint people to speak for us?



Do I like, or agree with everything she speaks?
pfft.

Yeah. When she said that we Washingtonians like blight in Aberdeen, I think it was totally fair.

I'd never really thought that, but since Icky says she's speaking for me, I guess I was wrong.

The "generational lifer" in your anecdote doesn't speak for me, and given the effort I've seen among people to change things in the harbor, it would appear that he doesn't speak for a great many of us.

lol. When did she say that?