'Wisdom Council' considered by city leaders

Idea to be given trial run on PTTV, Jan. 21

The idea of creating a "Wisdom Council" to present the views of the people to their local elected officials will receive consideration from the Port Townsend City Council, following action Monday night.

Approving a motion made by Councilman Allen Frank, the council agreed to give Jim Rough one hour and 15 minutes to present his concept at a February study session. The report will be based on Rough's trial run of the Wisdom Council, which takes place live Jan. 21 at PTTV, the local access television station broadcast on cable Channel 42.

The topic for the Wisdom Council's trial run will be the notion of banning chain stores in Port Townsend, an idea suggested by the ongoing circulation of a petition opposing the location of a Hollywood Video in Port Townsend.

The Wisdom Council is a concept created by Rough, a business consultant who lives in Port Townsend. According to a memo by Rough to the City Council, the council is comprised of 16 randomly selected Port Townsend registered voters. The people meet for two days and, with the help of a facilitator, develop unanimous statements representing the "people of Port Townsend" for presentation to the community. The statements are informally ratified through a network of meetings and conversations utilizing the Internet.

"Over the years, an ongoing conversation is established among all citizens that builds and articulates a genuine 'Will of the People,'" stated Rough's memo.

Voting against the motion Monday evening was Mayor Forrest Rambo.

"I don't think it's a good idea," he said. "I question the wisdom of the Wisdom Council."

How can the city be reassured that the cross-section of people on the Wisdom Council truly represents the community, he asked.

But Frank said the Wisdom Council could help generate a voice that is missing from local politics.

"You hear the activists on both sides of an issue, but how do you get to the core of what the people of Port Townsend want?" said Frank.

Rough is writing a book about the Wisdom Council concept titled Society's Breakthrough: Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People.

(© Port Townsend Jefferson County Leader - January 5, 2000)