Elections are great for drama… the winners and losers, the big comebacks and the just falling short, the unexpected and even the unimaginable.
Once the dust settles, however, you still need to govern – to get the day-to-day business of the people and the community done. There are new players or new coalitions, certainly new circumstances and new ideas that need to be reflected (or deflected). Throughout, there’s always the need to bring your issues and concerns to the political powers-that-be – however they may have changed – to seek action and address needs.
Advocating for the coast requires all this and more, since coastal concerns can get lost in the larger battles at hand, or be muddled by jurisdictional or geographic issues since what happens here has a major impact there – wherever “here” and “there” may be.
However, the coast also has a lot going for it in terms of getting some political attention… and maybe even action. Here are just a few of the coastal verities that can register with elected officials at every level:
Now is the time to bring your coastal concerns to elected officials, whether newly minted or old hands, to ensure they are part of the discussion in whatever happens next. You should ask them what information you can prove that will help them advocate for your position. Plan to meet with your new (or old) Member of Congress, your state legislators, your community officials – anyone who can make decisions that will make your coast healthier.
Don’t wait for them to come to you. Bring your concerns straight to them.
The election is over. Let the governing begin.
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ABOUT ASBPA: Founded in 1926, the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that advocates for healthy coastlines by promoting the integration of science, policies and actions that maintain, protect and enhance the coasts of America. For more information on ASBPA, go to www.asbpa.org, Facebook or www.twitter.com/asbpa. For information, to change your email address or to unsubscribe from this list, contact us at managing@asbpa.org. A complete collection of Beach News Service articles is available for media access online at. https://asbpa.org/publications/american-beach-news-service/
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