Some words of wisdom.....

From Molly Janczyk, April 28, 2007
Subject: Debate: Tom Mooney

I heard a great phrase in the Dems debate the other night:

"The minute we say us vs. them, we lose the ability to communicate."

Reminds me of Tom Mooney............always going back to the table determined to find a way with his motto:

"What will it take for us to resolve this issue so we can move on to the next issue as we have so much to lose."

What an enormous loss for us of this great mediator who recognized there is only one way to settle issues: sit down and work thru it with both sides willing to listen and bend where they can. He could talk to anyone, discuss with anyone and leave them feeling he heard them and resolutions could and would be found. He never gave up always keeping the big picture in view. It was never about him and always about educators regardless of some past harsh words exchanged during campaigns, etc. We went at it a couple of times during elections '04 and '05 and yet when time came to get busy for educators, he was always open and receptive to working together where we could and never even referenced past criticisms exchanged understanding it was political. If only all members of all organizations could sit with complete open minds and simply settle misunderstandings and differences and compromise on solutions to every issue that arises, we all would be better for it.

What Tom did was give us "HOPE" that we could all do better.

I believe it was Nancy Boomhower who said it best: "If we cannot find ways to work together, how irresponsibly reckless we are for retirees."