No longer being a direct city employee, I’m drawn to call attention to comments that occasionally troubled me during my time of service. It’s the way some individuals discuss their city of residence and its workers in a detached manner, especially if critiquing an action, decision or policy that they may not agree with or find favorable to their circumstances.
Phrases like “The City did this,” or “The City doesn’t know what it’s doing” are carelessly thrown around, reducing complex decisions made by humans to mere impersonal entities. What we must remember is that city governments are composed of people — individuals who live and breathe within our communities, share the same hopes, fears and aspirations as the residents they serve. Whether they are police officers, snowplow drivers, street sweepers, assessors, building inspectors, engineers, planners, auditors, arborists, maintenance personnel, or economic developers, they are not faceless bureaucrats; they’re our neighbors, friends and fellow community members. In North Dakota, our sense of community extends far beyond the walls of city hall. We united at sporting events, participate in civic organizations, celebrate together at community festivals, and may even sit on the same church pew. We’re too connected to be divisive. We may not always agree, but we can treat each other with kindness and respect, adhering to the golden rule. If you’re ever in need of a reminder of the humanity of city employees, I encourage you to watch the video “Cops Read Mean Tweets.” It’s a humorous, yet poignant illustration of the impact our words can have on those who serve our community. Here’s a direct link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iXSg8u3KEU. Elected officials make policy decisions and staff generally carry them out. Elected officials may rely on staff, various volunteer boards and committees, or combinations thereof to do a deep dive on a subject and make a recommendation. Appointed citizen and business volunteers serving on various boards and committees bring invaluable expertise and perspectives to the table. There are many opportunities for involvement in shaping cities. As we celebrate City Government Week in North Dakota from April 1-5, 2024, let’s take a moment to appreciate the vital role that local government plays in our daily lives. I’m fond of the slogan used by the City of Homestead, Florida, in observing city government week there. “My City: I’m Part of It, I’m Proud of It.” Indeed, I’m proud to contribute to the growth and prosperity of our communities, working hand in hand with elected officials, staff and volunteers. I encourage you to join in expressing gratitude to elected officials, staff and volunteers in your city for their dedication and service. Together, we can continue to build vibrant communities. For more perspectives about communities, leadership, development and small business topics, please follow future blogs at www.communitymattersnd.com, or on social media: www.facebook.com/CommunityMattersND and www.linkedin.com/company/community-matters-llc-nd. |
About EllenEllen Huber is a country girl passionate about nurturing communities. She gets things done and welcomes opportunities to assist enthusiastic, committed community and business leaders in reaching their goals. Archives
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