What makes a hero? By definition, a hero/heroin is, "a man or a woman noted for their noble, courageous, or adventurous acts and special achievements, who is viewed as an ideal or a model."

Do YOU know any heroes? I do. Lots of them. And, despite what some may tell you -- that there is nothing unusual happening here, we are simply in the throes of "growing pains" -- that is NOT the case. Even though we have all heard of government abuse using "the color of law" to accomplish its agenda, seldom has the "color" disintegrated into such black and whites as it has here.

Here are just a few stories of some Sultan heroes:

I know of a couple who had the effrontery of making the simple request to the city that it abide by its own codes as well as the laws of our state and federal government. Severe violations to the Winter's Creek stream buffers, as well as Willows Trace development misrepresentations and outright illegalities, have brought scrutiny to bear on the City's inability and/or unwillingness to deal with these issues. This couple is now being harassed in a retaliatory lawsuit by some of the code violators for "defamation of character," and other insupportable charges. This couple has been repeatedly harassed and called liars, cheats and file tamperers in public, by minions of the current regime. One of the side benefits of their predicament has been that they now feel empowered. In the effort of "fighting back" to protect themselves, they have gained both pride and strength because of their experience. They are being forced to spends thousands of dollars they cannot spare, in order to bring accountability to this city.

I know of a man who has brought repeated and continual code violations to the attention of Mayor Rowe, city "enforcement" officials, the City Council and in public forums, without any success except consciousness-raising. His difficulty in getting violations corrected is that, before you can be successful in that effort you need documentation of wrongdoing, and the city has a record of misfiling, misplacing, or conveniently losing documentation. He fight continues in encouraging compliance and enforcement of our codes, because of his strong belief in the law. He has spent untold and countless hours in his pursuit of accountability.

I know of a man who fought a developer for many months, trying to save our environmental assets without success. He lost his fight to the corruption here, but raised the consciousness level of our residents. He has sacrificed much of his life on behalf of the community in the pursuit of preserving these fragile environmental assets, and in trying to get the City to abide by its codes. He has been publicly maligned, had false charges filed against him, and he has recently been the target of property damage by those in agreement with, and supportive of, unpublished mayoral policies. He has not given up, however, and is still trying to shepherd our natural resources, whenever possible, to a happy outcome.

I know a man who initially became involved in city politics because of the irregularities in the interpretation and implementation of city codes in land use actions. A long-time resident, he has made a significant difference in the face of our town, due to his dogged determination to see that the "right" thing is done, and his unquestionable integrity in trying to see that the laws are upheld.

I know of a man who worked for the city who was not only fired for doing his job, but was later threatened with reprisals, should he try communicating with city employees or attempt to retrieve his belongings he had left at city hall. His reputation has been smashed. His family is still struggling financially, day-by-day.

I know of a woman who is one of the most courageous people I think I've ever known. She, also, has been a victim of simply doing what is right, in trying to get the city to comply with its laws. (I cannot even describe her circumstances, due to possible reprisals, should she be identified. But we thank her, nonetheless.)

There are several city hall employees, some who are still there, some not, who fit part, or all of the definition of "hero." They are individuals who were, or are, more concerned in doing what is legal and right, rather than doing what's expedient. Some have paid with their reputations, their jobs, and sometimes, their livelihood.

I know of a man who served this city well, who voluntarily resigned when Rowe came into power. His name, of course, is Bill Trippett. He was the first and worst victim of the Rowe administration. Despite what he did (or is accused of doing) while in the City's employee, what happened to him was not right. He is still trying to dig himself out from under the rubble of his ruined reputation.

All of these people, by standing up to the tyrants in town one at a time, have cleared the way for other heroes here, by doing by example. I'm not saying people should act so impetuously that they lose their jobs or risk harm to their families. But I know of many other unsung, everyday heroes here, and more importantly, many more who would LIKE to be heroes. It is only when we stand up and demand accountability, that we will prevail. We can all be heroes by being personally responsible for our own actions, and then making certain that our government is accountable for representing us in an honorable manner.

But before we can make government accountable, we must first become informed in order that we understand what's happened or is happening, and then speak out against it in public forums. Unfortunately most people in Sultan who know of wrongdoing, ignore it. When people turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the problems instead of facing them head-on, it adds to the "bully body count". Bullies NEVER stop pushing until they are forced to back off when presented by strength of will. Eventually, of course, tyranny collapses under its own weight. But it takes the weight of people actively working against it, before that fall occurs.

The truth is, there are good people and bad people everywhere. It is also a fact that the "Bad Ol' Boy" mentality still reigns here. To them, this is still the "Wild, Wild West" and they should be allowed to do whatever they please. Unfortunately, in order to stop the illegalities and violations, it costs taxpayers time and money, and most of the time they end up having to expend thousands of dollars in legal fees out of their own pockets in order to obtain government compliance. And often, even then, do not prevail. (Examples in a broader context of government inequities are the court challenges to I-695 and I-722.) While these individuals use our tax dollars to perpetrate and continue their monetary self-interests, we are left using our own resources to see that the law is followed and government is made accountable.

Their primary tool-in-trade is the concept of situational ethics in order to justify their actions. This should not come as a surprise to anyone, in this day of rampant ("Clinton-esque") rationalization and in a moral atmosphere within which Hannibal the Cannibal is viewed as "cool" and a cult "hero." There is nothing "cool" about cruelty, nothing heroic about twisting the law.

It is up to each and every hero and would-be hero in Sultan to make sure this administration, while here, does as little damage as possible. We can't correct what's already been ruined, but we can all see that any future destruction is minimized.

I urge everyone to become a "Sultan Hero" by urging accountability by the current city regime.