Owens for City Council 2024’s Post

Sharing this exciting opportunity in Lexington! If you are interested in applying or learning more, the link below has all the details and application process. P.S. Lexington has my favorite Thai food restaurant, just saying! #TownManagers #Recruitment #MunicipalGovernment

Great opportunities

What is happening in Burlington is a bit heartbreaking. There are so many wonderful staff who deserve much much better political leadership. I've lost track of how many fine staff have been summarily fired, have taken earlier-than-planned retirement, or have moved on to other municipalities (I've been a reference for at least a dozen). As I say in my book, "Councils get the staff they deserve". And this is largely a result of the Premier's foolish decision to hand out 'strong mayor' powers. Strong mayors make local governments unarguably less democratic, turn CAOs into political actors (and hatchetpersons), put key municipal decisions into the hands of a single person (who may place their political self-interest above the community's). And, of course, strong mayor powers effectively reduce the rest of council to onlooker status. What is happening in Burlington is also a function of this new reality: If you are slick on social media, and follow the populist playbook, you can often get yourself elected to a municipal leadership role without having a molecule of leadership ability. On the upside, Burlington has hired a superb new City Manager who deserves everyone's support.

Opportunity

Staff Spotlight: Chris Herndon! Help us welcome Chris Herndon as our Interim Executive Director. Chris joins us from United Way of the Triangle where he has worked as the Chief Operation Officer for the last few years. He will provide leadership and expertise through the end of the year as our permanent Executive Director search continues. 💡Fun Fact: though much of his career has been in community engagement and advocacy, Chris has a degree in Sports Administration from Ball State University (David Letterman’s Alma Mater!). We look forward to our time with Chris and seeing all we can accomplish together! What are three words you would use to describe yourself? Thoughtful, curious, and strategic. And sometimes funny... What are two ways you work to make our community better? I strive to ensure everyone in our community is civically engaged and that those in leadership roles examine the impact of their decisions on all residents. What makes you hopeful about Wake County in the future? If we collectively agree we want to ensure a thriving community for all of our residents, we have the people, knowledge, and resources to do it. What is the connection between affordable housing, transportation, and land use on our future? The intersection of affordable housing, transportation, and land use are crucial for creating livable, sustainable communities where people have access to essential services, economic opportunities, and a high quality of life, all while minimizing environmental impacts. If you had a magic wand, what is one thing you would change about our community? 100% of residents would vote in each local, state, and federal election. #WakeUPWakeCounty #Triangle #InterimED #WakeCounty #bikeability #walkability #publictransit #ecofriendlytransportation #urbanplanning #growthplanning #staffspotlight #makingadifference #wakecountyfuture #urbangrowth #thrivingcommunity #bestplacestolive

Learn more about the responsibilities of our Town Council and their duties as elected representatives. These elected officials serve as the voice of our community, shaping our future through policymaking and goal setting. #Clayton4U

Thinking about relocating? Montgomery County is the place to be! Two areas in #MontgomeryCounty, Bethesda and Rockville, were ranked in the top 7% of a recent report of the Best Small Cities in America 2023. WalletHub compared more than 1,300 U.S. cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 across 45 key indicators of livability, ranging from housing costs and school-system quality to restaurants per capita and the crime rate.   Both Bethesda and Rockville were rated particularly highly for Education & Health and Safety. Other highly ranked areas in our County overall included Olney (top 16%), Gaithersburg (top 23%), and Potomac (top 28%). Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gs6wkhT   We’re hiring! Montgomery County #Government is a great place to work in a thriving community with a high quality of living. Learn about our outstanding #totalrewards and explore open positions at work4mcg.com.

Politics. What comes to mind when you hear that word? Probably not a lot of positive things. Many people are disgusted with politics and all of the things around it. However, I want to challenge your thinking. What if you could make a difference in a small way in your community? Have you ever considered running for a local office? City Council? School Board? Or getting appointed to a commission like Park Board or Planning Commission? These are all ways that you can have an impact on your community. I have been on the City Council in the past and it was a rewarding experience. This is why I've decided to run for City Council again. I am also encouraging you to check with your city to see what positions are open and to go for it! #politics #localgovernment #citycouncil #makeadifference #bethechange

Opportunity

Beautiful downtown Savannah , Georgia