Huntsville Business Journal’s Post

As an appointment, I've served on my local City Council for the past 14 months. I wrapped up this week, and here are some lessons learned that might be useful to those considering serving their local community: 1. Caring Councilors: All City Councilors care deeply about their community. They wouldn't be serving if they weren't passionate. 2. Delegate vs. Trustee: A delegate represents the voice of the people, regardless of personal views. A trustee uses their experience, education, research, and judgment to make the best decision for the people. I considered myself a trustee, similar to my business experience as a CFO/COO, where I was expected to research thoroughly and make informed decisions. Constituents can't spend as much time or access as much information as Councilors, so I used my judgment with all the additional information and research. I respect those who act as delegates, as long as they vote consistently. Be cautious of those who switch between roles based on their agenda. 3. Diverse Expectations: Constituents' expectations are wildly different and often opposite. Some distrust the government; others expect it to solve their problems. Some want focus on city operations; others want strategic planning. Some want respectful leadership; others want confrontation to show you're fighting for them. These differing expectations lead to different types of elected officials with varying views on their roles. 4. You Can't Please Everyone: In my career, I've usually managed to get everyone on the same page by listening and advocating for a solution everyone agreed upon. However, on the City Council, some constituents wanted their specific wishes represented without discussion. Those who disagreed with me the most distrusted the government, no matter how transparent I was. 5. Votes Matter: What matters is having the votes. The best idea means nothing if you don't have the votes. 6. "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care": This quote by Theodore Roosevelt is spot on. With only 14 months on City Council, it was hard to make enough one-on-one connections for everyone to see that I care. For example, everyone I spoke to in person had the chance to hear how much I cared about the city's growth and listened to my ideas. Conversely, people on social media, whom I didn't get to know personally, had no interest in my views, regardless of my logic or credentials. 7. Meetings can be a Show: In business, information circulates before a meeting, and questions are asked beforehand to ensure understanding. City Council meetings often weren't conducive to problem-solving. Some conversations weren't about understanding each other, as minds were often already made up. As a fan of in-depth Socratic questioning aimed at the truth, I struggled with this the most. 8. Rewarding Experience: Albert Einstein once said, "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Despite the frustrations, serving was incredibly rewarding.

New in Contrarian Boston: -Scheduling conflict: Amid rising tensions with the business community, Wu blows off annual Hub chamber gala for a New York event -Intrepid reporting: Boldly striking out beyond the encampments at Ivy League schools, The New York Times makes a shocking discovery -Growing opposition: Business groups team up in pushback to Boston mayor’s plan to hike commercial tax rates -Not happy campers: Bay State voters have soured on the state’s direction and its political leadership -Here’s one ranking West Virginia has the Bay State beat on by a mountain mile: fast food -Hazy thinking: Embattled state pot commission spurned in bid for huge budget increase #mapoli #bospoli #massachusetts #boston #LocalNews #reporter #journalism #harvard #studentprotests #Israel #Gaza #fastfood #MediaCoverage #media #MediaBias #development #developers #contractors #construction #realestate #Projects Jim Rooney #cannabis

Regardless of your political views, Mike Wood deserves recognition for his dedication to serving our community. I always read his columns in our local paper with keen interest. His letters reflect genuine humility and a deep understanding of local issues, always mindful of the privilege and responsibility he holds for the people of the Black Country. Mike's respect across the political spectrum, both nationally and locally, is well-earned, particularly through his efforts to create opportunities for young people with his annual jobs fair, which has significantly impacted fostering opportunities for all. Mike battled a life-threatening health condition that many would see as a reason to step back, yet he continues to serve selflessly. While I may not agree with everything he says, I will always support leaders like him who demonstrate integrity, put others first, and never forget the electorate. If every politician followed his example, our country would undoubtedly be better off. I anticipate some “yes, but...” responses here, and please note that my vote is undecided for any party in this election. However, if we aim to restore honest debate to our politics without the constant baiting and sniping, we should acknowledge those, like Mike, who don't seek honours and adulation but are genuinely decent people trying their best for us. Great work, Mike. Best wishes always. #Leadership #CommunityFirst #IntegrityInOffice #OpportunityForAll #RespectAcrossBorders #blackcountry #westmidlands

I just came across this op ed I wrote in 2002 at the age of 34. After 22 years of working on implementing positive change here in Augusta, my Song Remains the Same (Led Zeppelin reference intended!). YOUNG PEOPLE IN AUGUSTA WANT TO MOVE CITY FORWARD By Deke Copenhaver Guest Columnist March 23, 2002 Publication: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA) Page: A05 Word Count: 562 I RECENTLY READ an Augusta Chronicle article concerning prospective mayoral candidates for the upcoming election. In it, I was mentioned as a possible candidate, ``supposedly'' having the backing of local ``white leaders.'' With regard to that, I would like to say I have been approached and had discussions with members of both the white and the black communities concerning the possibility of running. I cannot stress enough that these have only been discussions; in no way have I decided I would be the best candidate for mayor. I would also like to emphasize that Augusta should not be viewed by its residents as a community divided along racial, political or regional lines. For the city we love to move forward, we must strive to erase the perceived divisions and make every effort to work together for the common good of the entire community. In recent months, a group of young people from both the black and white communities have been meeting in an effort to establish a vision for Augusta's future. The meetings, held once a week, have been remarkably productive and all involved have glimpsed the limitless possibilities of what can be achieved when people work together. PERSONS IN THIS group represent a diversity of cultural, political and socioeconomic perspectives on Augusta and how the city can be changed for the better. To be truly effective, it's our firm belief that a master plan for our city's future should include input from all sectors of the community. Fragmentation and lack of communication among its multiple factions has resulted in many of the difficulties we are facing today. We must do a better job of fostering an environment in which our uniquely diverse community members can come together to discuss our common wants and needs and not focus on our differences. Augusta is fortunate to have a strong foundation on which to build. Our medical community, local colleges, revitalized downtown and the world's finest golf tournament are just some of the city's established assets -- and are the foundation's building blocks.

Join us as we sat down with current Councilmember Eric Guerra, a candidate running to represent District 6 as City Councilmember. In our latest interview, we didn't just talk policies; we got to know the person behind the campaign. Eric shared his motivations, what drives his commitment to District 6, and how he envisions contributing to the community's growth and well-being. For those in District 6 or anyone interested in the qualities and visions of local leadership, this conversation offers a unique glimpse into Eric Guerra's aspirations for the district. Tune into the recording linked below: https://lnkd.in/gyB3mkd3 Don't forget to hit that subscribe button on @RingOfDemocracy for more personal interviews with the candidates looking to make a difference. We believe in empowering voters with knowledge, ensuring that every decision made at the polls is informed and considered. Disclaimer: Here at The Ring of Democracy, we're all about unbiased information. We're a non-partisan, non-profit initiative focused on voter education. We don't endorse candidates or political views. This interview is part of our effort to help you get to know the people running for office, so you can vote with confidence, fully aware of what each candidate stands for.

In the grand tapestry of politics, the vibrant threads of municipal governance often go unnoticed, yet they are the ones that weave together the fabric of our daily lives. Today, we celebrate the dedicated individuals in municipal politics – the council members, mayors, and local leaders who are the heartbeat of our communities. They are the unsung architects of our local parks, the guardians of our neighborhood streets, and the planners of the communities where our lives unfold. Municipal politicians may not command the national spotlight like their federal and provincial counterparts, but their impact is felt in the most immediate and personal ways. From the safety of our roads to the health of our local environment, they make decisions that touch upon the minutiae of our day-to-day existence. Let’s also uplift the spirited citizens who serve on committees and task forces. These are the champions of community, volunteering their time and lending their voices to ensure our towns and cities flourish. They prove that when it comes to shaping a community, every action, every initiative, and every single decision can make a profound difference. While federal and provincial politics lay the foundations and set the direction of our nation, municipal politics fills in the rich details that make the picture complete. This is a toast to the local leaders and the engaged citizens alike – your contributions are the cornerstone of our community's identity, and your efforts are truly what make our cities and towns vibrant places to live, work, and play. Here's to the power of local governance and the remarkable impact of municipal politics!

Conservative enclaves quit California's oldest city alliance: Recent developments have surfaced in California’s local political landscape. A group of Southern California cities with conservative-leaning city councils have chosen to exit the League of California Cities. Citing differences over policy issues, cities like Newport Beach and Yorba Linda are parting from this 126-year-old coalition which aims to unite municipal voices in the state's political arena. The departure signifies a shift in the dynamic of local government unity, reflecting the growing polarization in political climates. While some argue that operating within the organization is more effective for policy influence, others feel the need to seek representation that aligns more closely with local interests. This move points to a changing strategy amongst cities to advocate for their communities in the complex fabric of California politics. Read more:

We have a couple of spots left if you would still like to register! April 18: Citizen Assemblies- Reinvigorating Civic Engagement Note: This is a morning forum, 8:30am. Join us for a discussion that will open up the idea of citizen involvement in local decision-making. Increasingly people on all sides of the political spectrum (including those unengaged) feel left out of how decisions are made. A Citizens’ Assembly is a group of people selected by lottery who are broadly representative of a community. They spend significant time learning and collaborating through facilitated deliberation to find common ground and form collective recommendations for policymakers, decision-makers, and the community. These Assemblies are sometimes called Citizens’ Juries, Panels, or Councils depending on their size and the country where they are taking place. We will discuss how this model works internationally and how it is currently being used right here in Central Oregon. More info: https://lnkd.in/gSYnjqRi

Celebrate 314 Day!! It’s time to celebrate our day, our way, St. Louis! 314 Day celebrations, specials and events are underway all week long across the metro and there's something for everyone. For a complete list, visit www.TheSTL.com/314Day and show your local love.    St. Louis' Gateway Arch Saw 2.4 Million Visitors in 2023 The @GatewayArchSTL had 2.4M visitors in 2023 – its highest number since 2012. New data shows that, for every one visitor to the visitors' center, another is on the grounds. More: https://lnkd.in/ge4T93q5 #stlmade   Washington University says it contributed $8.8B to local economy last fiscal year #stlmade @WUSTL recently announced that its direct and indirect contributions to the St. Louis economy totaled $8.8 billion in fiscal 2023 and it supported more than 54K total jobs in the region. More: https://lnkd.in/gQ_gR4iG

Very pleased to have spoken for Westminster Forum Projects last week on next steps for High Streets and Towns with lessons from Historic England's Heritage Action Zones and High Street Heritage Actions Zones programmes and the combined DCMS Arms' Length Bodies Levelling Up Places Service. Grateful to all speakers for putting heritage in the spotlight as a vital asset that towns should be looking to invest in and for support of our lessons learned about: ·      moving work with communities from 'engagement' to participation to leadership,  ·      the need for lead in time for major capital spending and the opportunities for other meaningful activity in that time to build participation and partnership and to get the long-term plan in place,  ·      the importance of a mixed portfolio of investments (large and small) to achieve area wide benefits and allow flexibility, and  ·      the opportunities for heritage to provide homes, spaces for business and opportunities for communities to come together and create. Fitting a lot in to 15 minutes and appreciated thoughtful Q&A for which answers:  ·      historic buildings aren’t inherently fuel inefficient and they can be made more efficient using means that protect their value, whilst avoiding damp – we enable pragmatic conservation (not dogmatic preservation); ·     evaluating long term investment projects requires thoughtful data collection at the outset including qualitative perception studies, but also requires reconsidering your KPIs as time and policies pass (what benefits did you deliver that didn't expect?); ·     there is great opportunity for adult skills training in heritage investment programmes. Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust's brilliant model of participation and learning is one for many to learn from. and these are skills in maintaining and bringing buildings back into use that are needed across the country in great numbers. More detail on Heritage Action Zones here: https://lnkd.in/eDyU8V_B and the Levelling Up Places Service here: https://lnkd.in/eWPzB6rm