Leadership and Legacy

Local politics is an example of both the best and worse in what John Gardner called the “American Experiment”.  Unlike national and state politics that are largely dysfunctional because of partisan positioning and dogma, local elected officials usually focus more on doing the people’s business.  Unfortunately this is not always the case. Although not partisan in nature, local politics are not exempt from political attack and motivation.  This is what I see as part of the worse example.

In spite of what looks like will be a particularly nasty campaign for reelection, I intend on focusing what I see as the best.  I believe that ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS should focus on building better communities and helping foster better quality of life for all of our citizens.  I believe in empowering citizens to take a more active role in their own governance and build on the concept of “We the People”.  These are constants in my system of values and in spite of what I may personally think of an issue, I was elected to represent the people, not my own motives nor those of special interest.

As I have stated many times before, Leadership should focus not on those who hold public office but on those people they serve. Although leaders need to protect the public interest, leadership is not attacking others, nor is it motivated by political attacks or interest.  This is why many people in our nation are equally upset with both political parties and all of congress.  Leadership motivates and empowers others to act and define a vision for the future they wish to realize. Leaders then work to empower those citizens and to help them build the capacity to make that vision become a reality. Leadership is in short awakening the best in people and their community.

Leaders work to engage people and their energies rather than give them sound bite answers and quick fix solutions to today’s issues.  A leader inspires and builds up those around him (or her) to help them become leaders in their own right.  A leader leads by example and understands that their own actions speak louder than any words they might say.  I hope that as Mayor I have always proven to be a leader.

Two things a leader must strive to accomplish. Make positive things happen that might not otherwise occur and to work to prevent negative things from occurring that ordinarily may occur.  An example of this is my work to mitigate the threat of flooding from the White River and my work to build capacity in our community’s ability to respond to a disaster.  A leader might not always be successful and may often have to fight a steep uphill battle, but a leader is not interested in what might be easy, but what is right.

I believe in our community and will always work to make our community stronger.  I believe that the community of Pacific is a living entity in which citizens, business and government all interact with each other to bring about change and progress.  I know the power of one person working to make positive change, inspiring others to join with them and mobilize to accomplish common goals in a sense of “We” and Community. Our community is capable of many things when allowed to unite.  My job as Mayor is to work to empower others and bring those parts of our community together.  It is to be a good servant of the people and a steward of our community. My greatest honor is to serve our citizens and inspire other citizens to be leaders themselves.  That would be a great legacy for me to leave for our future generations.