We often hear the comment that it does not matter what we do, powers outside of our control dictate the final decision. The following story illustrates the flaw in that thinking. We hope your enjoy it.
 |
| Starfish Story |
A wise man was walking along the shore one day when he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself as he didn't think anybody would dance on the beach at this time of the day. Hence, he began to walk faster to try and catch up with the person.
As he got closer, he saw that the person was a young man and he wasn't dancing. Instead, he was reaching down to pick up something on the beach every now and then before throwing it into the ocean very gently.
When the wise man got closer, he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going down. If I don't throw them in they'll die."
"There are miles and miles of beach and there are starfishes all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves.
As he got closer, he saw that the person was a young man and he wasn't dancing. Instead, he was reaching down to pick up something on the beach every now and then before throwing it into the ocean very gently.
When the wise man got closer, he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean."
"Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going down. If I don't throw them in they'll die."
"There are miles and miles of beach and there are starfishes all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves.
He said, "It made a difference for that one."
Let the Sunshine In . . .
 |
| BY GREG WALTERS |
The Raytown Report contacted City Administrator Damon Hodges to learn how the Board would proceed at this point in the search. It was a surprise to learn that only one nominee would be brought forward for the Board to consider.
Since its
election last April, the Board has met only once in a work session to discuss
the requirements for a new Chief of Police.
The meeting
lasted less than two hours and accomplished little more than to introduce Board
members to the representative from Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP to conduct a
search for viable candidates for the city to consider. The Board has approved
an expenditure of up to $30,000 for Baker Tilly to conduct the search for the
city.
At the
meeting each Board member was allowed a limited amount of time to lay out their
requirements for the position.
ANALYSIS:
It is a relief to learn the long anticipated search for a new Chief of Police
in Raytown is finally coming to an end.
When the
Board last met back on July 16th members outlined what they felt was
important in a new leader for the Raytown Police Department. One common theme
was the need for that individual to (ideally) live in Raytown or at least a very short distance from City Hall.
The head of our Police Department will also be in charge of First
Responders in an emergency. The law enforcement leadership position must be a “hands
on” operation.
It is
disappointing that the Board of Aldermen has not had a more active role in the
search. This does
not mean the hiring of a firm to make the initial search was a bad idea. But it does mean the Board’s alternatives are extremely limited by the process.
A second or third recommendation would ensure the Board would make an informed decision by comparing what the different candidates have to offer the city.
In retrospect the path taken reduces the Board’s role to that of a rubber stamp waiting for instructions
on who should be chosen.
 |
| BY PAUL LIVIUS |
Sometimes bad ideas come before the Board of Aldermen. Usually, they meet an untimely end. Sometimes they are quietly removed
from the agenda. Or, to the dismay of their sponsors, they are publicly voted down.
The
proposed monument/informational sign at City Hall is by far the most unpopular
idea that simply will not go away.
Unfortunately,
it is hard to say who is behind this waste of the taxpayer’s dollars. That is
because the rules a previous Board of Aldermen created does not allow for
elected sponsors to be identified on bills before the Board of Aldermen.
Not all of the Alderman are in support of spending tens of thousands of dollars on a sign that is not needed. One Alderman went to the trouble to poll
constituents. The participants overwhelmingly said they would rather see the money used to
hire more police or to repair streets.
Here are
some very good reasons for Board members to turn their thumbs down on this
waste of the taxpayer’s money.
THE MONEY IS NEEDED ELSEWHERE. The taxpayer's dollars would be better spent fixing some of the problems the city has with infrastructural needs. For instance . . .
The picture at right is possibly the strongest argument for not wasting the money on an unwanted monument sign at 59th and Raytown Road. More police on our streets will go a lot further instilling pride and well-being than a sign at a low traffic intersection very few will see. 
The city could blast messages to constituents via email or Facebook more efficiently and more effectively than spending tens of thousands of dollars on a monument sign at city hall.
Cell phones are so ingrained into our culture that the federal government will give you one for free if you can't afford it.
To leave a comment use this link . . .
No comments:
Post a Comment