by Jeff Quibell
21. May 2009 02:07
This past weekend, I joined other local Shriners at the American Legion parking lot to sell Vidalia onions to help support both our local Shrine Club and the Ararat Shrine.
As I talked with friends from Blue Springs, the topic turned to the opportunities for progress in our city. We discussed how we don’t always agree on the best ways to achieve that progress, and yet we are able to talk about our differing ideas and viewpoints respectfully. We often find common ground on issues and yet have spirited debate when we disagree. I’ve often heard that the best decisions are made when intelligent people disagree, and through discussion and compromise arrive at mutual agreement.
Our discussion this past weekend turned to the ways in which our City Council conducts the city’s business. Anyone who has watched a Blue Springs City Council meeting would agree that our elected leaders have strong opinions. But most of the dialog in the meetings is not really a discussion as much as they are statements of position. Unfortunately, it is rare when actual discussion occurs between our council members, with each one listening to the others and formulating their opinion based on that discussion and the facts presented.
In a recent speech regarding a controversial issue, President Obama shared that a constituent had admonished him during his presidential campaign to “speak about this issue in fair-minded words.” Our council members need to speak to the issues they are considering in fair-minded words, listen carefully to each other, seek common ground in their discussions, and then make the best possible decision for our city. All members of our City Council need to approach topics and issues with an open mind and seek the best decision through meaningful dialogue.
Each of our elected leaders has a passion to make our city the best possible place for us all to live, work, and raise our families. Our mayor has the skill and capability to lead such discussions and allow the council to approach solutions to controversial issues through serious dialog and working as a team. Our councilmen should be encouraged to take advantage of the mayor’s expertise and work together to improve the decision-making processes they follow.
In completing our work selling onions on Sunday, I join all Shriners in thanking everyone who helped support our local Shrine club by purchasing a bag of onions.
Stay in touch
Keep up to date on what’s happening in Blue Springs at www.AboutBlueSprings.com. Follow Jeff Quibell’s tweets at http://twitter.com/JeffQuibell