City Managers and Mayors: Time for Engagement

Today begins the fiscal year for many of our states and municipalities. It is also the time when the budgets in place will likely be less than last year. After multiple quarters of decline, services are being cut left and right. As I tell audiences, if you are waiting for relief from Washington, DC, you have got a long wait. But in many things painful, this is a learning opportunity. What you cry? This is a time like no other to get citizens involved in the reality of local politics. I am not talking about a focus group to set priorities for local spending. I am talking about ways to inform and involve the public on the issues at hand. If there will be less for social services--say so--and ask for help. If parks and recreation are to be affected--say so--and ask for help. People are not stupid. They know that gas prices are affecting everything from food delivery to municipal services. This is an opportunity to change business as usual. More people have to step up to meet the needs. Methods of delivery have to change. This is time to remake the community where we live. Will the economy come back? It always has. What will be different this time is that we will be better prepared, have closed the gaps, and will engage the community in ways not seen before. Actually not a bad trade-off if we can pull it off. Check out this free information from Public Agenda to get started.