Opinion by Samuel Strait – July 27, 2022 Of course this is "just my opinion" not to be construed or mistaken as anything anyone should pay much attention to, yet the recent "Challenge" by Del Norte Employees Association President, Norma Williams, is one of many of her regular sermons on the unquestionable merits of her flock. I use the term "flock" as it seems most appropriate in describing the almost "cult like" and faithful expectations of "president" Williams in adhering to her religion as a matter of "faith" rather than anything remotely relating to "substance". Norma Williams Ms. Williams, pardon the derogatory nature of the honorific in advance, from the lofty pulpit of her near unassailable perch as a County employee at Health and Human Services with the meager compensation of, at least in 2020, near $80,000 total, has the temerity of excluding much of the population of Del Norte County as to the merits of retaining Measure "R" as a benefit to the entire community and not, just, the employees of the County. While I admire her for her perseverance in asking for her faithful flock to support her efforts in carving out a two tiered society here in Del Norte County, the haves and the have nots, I wish to point out that her flock, generally speaking is doing rather well comparatively in this continuing effort by the balance of the local citizenry to put gas in their fuel tanks, food on the table, and a roof over their heads. It is this "faith" blindness that governance is the "best" vehicle for the average person without any consideration for the very basic differences in individual circumstance that infects those in government and their perceptions as to what is best for not only those that are employed by government, but those that are not. This elitist philosophy on full display in every one of Ms. William's Board room sermons serves to highlight the very disconnect between those government is meant "to serve" and those that are cocooned in the relative "safety" of government service. This is not meant to disparage those that have chosen to be in the service of the public, but as a counter to the expectation of dutifully following those in Ms. Williams church of union expectations. I understand that not all of the County's employees are compensated to the extent of Ms. Williams and may find that the $4,000,000 taken from the pockets of everyone in the County, sometimes more than once, is a concern for them as well. Frankly, insuring the needs of a growing government at an ever escalating cost is not an idea that was ever considered when Measure "R" was passed by those in the public. It is also something that no one thought a well advertised campaign of portraying a poverty stricken government would somehow transform itself into one that could hire multiple well paid "new" employees and provide for a generous package of raises to all employees, in a community where the balance of the citizenry do not have any expectation of their lives getting any better, at least financially. While I do not anticipate nor expect these few words will in any way mute President of the Employees Union for the County, Norma Williams, it is my hope that those not in thrall with her professed religion will think beyond her "perceived" benefits to employees in the County and think of those whose lives have been negatively impacted by both Measure "R" and "S", and struggled to make ends meet as each level of governance has been responsible for the increased inability for the public to meet basic needs. This should not be about "what is in it for me", but "what is in it for those you profess to serve". Are you listening Ms. Williams?