Believing in Small Gestures

There was a minor agenda item at Monday night’s council meeting that got me thinking.

Garrett Park Administrator Ted Pratt sought (and received) authorization from the council to move the town’s checking account and the Betsy White Emergency Loan Fund account from Wachovia Bank to Sandy Spring Bank. The proposed move was, in part, practical: The new accounts will yield higher interest. But Ted also made an impassioned case for moving the town’s money from a bank mired in financial crisis caused, at least in part, by bad mortgage debt and other troubled investments to one that is local and accountable to its community.

Given the dollar amounts in question, it’s pretty clear that switching banks isn’t going to make a dent in Wachovia’s balance sheet. And that’s what led me to wonder whether symbolic gestures like Ted’s are worth the trouble.

Like Councilmember Hans Wegner’s belief that town property should be powered solely by wind-generated electricity, even if it costs more and public appreciation is short lived.

Like Warren Kornberg’s belief in an impeachment petition that would likely have had no impact on national debate.

Like Garrett Park’s declaration, more than a quarter century ago, of its nuclear freedom.

Why do some of our fellow citizens take the time and go to the considerable effort of standing up for symbols? Maybe it’s because passion, commitment, and personal code sometimes trump what is practical. And sometimes sparks catch fire.

Does that mean we should vote in favor of anything anyone believes is right? Of course not. Should we discuss and debate what our community stands for? You bet. But perhaps this quirky little town should pause once in a while and say thanks to our neighbors, even the ones we disagree with, who believe in the power of small gestures.