Just a Little Respect

It was a rousing week in Jefferson County and those of us that sit in the cheap seats have the stiff backs to prove it. Two County Commission meetings in the space of a week is one more than anyone needs to attend. And, of course that doesn’t count the committee meetings or the school board. It was as if all of the County’s business had to be shoved into a four day span. One might think that so many meetings would be boring but that wasn’t the case this week. However, I must say that it was all worth it to see the issue of the County Commission agenda put to rest for good. Like so many others who attend County meetings, I am bone tired of the fighting between the County Commission and the Mayor’s Office. It is not just silly, it is embarrassing and thankfully now it is over-at least in regard to the agenda. The truth is that, like so many things in life, this situation between some members of the County Commission and the Mayor belongs to both parties. Now it can be a new start, if everyone involved will let it be. And I really, really hope that they will. The offices that they hold are larger than the people who sit in them and the County Commission made the right decision in leaving the agenda largely as is. A little dose of respect would go a long way for everyone.

That was a good decision, but there have also been some questionable decisions that were brought to light this week. Take, for example, the decision to place a camera in the Boy’s bathroom at Jefferson County High School. I have no problem with cameras in the classroom or the hallways, there is not expectation of privacy there. But, there is an expectation of privacy in the bathroom. I don’t care if the camera is pointed toward the sink, it is still a bathroom and it should be off limits for cameras. Students and people in the community who use that bathroom (like when they attend school functions, basketball games, meetings, ect) should not have to smile for the camera while they attend to their personal business. I know that the school has just gone through a costly renovation and vandalism to the new facility stinks big time. But, that is no excuse to invade the Boy’s restroom with cameras. There are several Assistant Principals at Jefferson County High School. How about stationing one outside the restroom during class change. Or, do what other schools have done and put the camera on the outside of the restroom to tape the coming and going of students and the public. Then check the restroom regularly.

There were several other ways to handle the vandalism problem. My guess is that students are not likely to confide in an administration that would consider it okay to invade their privacy by placing cameras in the restroom. But, that is just a guess. This was a big administrative miss and a little too Big Brother for comfort. Trust is earned and it is a two way street. I like to believe that people in general, and children, specifically, rise to the occasion when treated with respect. Treating people with respect should be the expectation, the norm, no matter what their age. Sometimes life really is just that simple.