MY THOUGHTS – By Mayor Paul Becker

Labor Day is upon us.  I could be wrong, but it seems to me that this federally-mandated holiday to honor the contribution of the “working man” has, over the passing years, come to mean less.   I remember concerts in the band shell at Central Park with the Stars and Stripes flying everywhere and seemingly endless speeches by the politicians.  As your Mayor, I promise not to make any speeches, but perhaps it is time to reflect upon our labors at City Hall since taking office.

The first that comes to mind… and it may be one of the most important… is our attempt to create an atmosphere of transparency between city government and, you, the citizens.  I believe we have succeeded even beyond what most people might have hoped for.  Early in my term, I announced I’d be in the Mayor’s office every day from 9 AM until noon for “office hours.”  I have been and ever since, people have come in to ask questions, request action, or just plain talk.  What a great way to meet some of you, but more importantly, it creates an atmosphere of open communication between us.  To me, this was very important, since I believe the first duty of a Mayor is to meet the needs of the citizens.  You don’t do this by just talking to committees, to consultants, or to so-called experts.  No, you talk to the people.  Furthermore, you make it as easy as you can for them to be heard, even if it requires some flexibility in your own personal schedule.  Every citizen, young or old, is deserving of that courtesy.

There may be those who question the value or need of the Mayor’s presence in the office every morning of the week.  This is, after all, a volunteer position.  Well, here is another benefit: Management is far improved beyond what communication can be done by telephone or computer because it places me at the heart of City operations.  This has enabled the complete  restructuring of our City administration staff so that everyone works efficiently in an atmosphere of harmony and good-will both with one another and with the public.  Only a hands-on Mayor can accomplish this and assist in the every-day operation of the department.  Would anyone expect a business owner to go into his business once or twice a week for an hour or two?  Of course not!  This is why I believe it necessary to be in the office as often as I am.  You… the residents of our city… deserve no less.

Still reflecting upon our labors since taking office, there is one thing I feel personally good about… the selection and breaking-in of a man more than qualified to fill the shoes of our previous administrator.  That man is Jeff Alvis.  There were those who thought it imperative, as well as prudent, to initiate a search for an administrator from some other jurisdiction to fill the job.  Indeed, I was even approached by another Mayor to consider hiring a manager who had recently concluded some work under a contract with him. Additionally, some members of the City Council worried about our “loss” in grant writing ability.  Here was a scenario in which managerial experience really counted.  Though a need at times, I knew that grant writing was not the first order of business for an administration thoroughly in shambles.

And, based on my own thirty years of hiring people, I learned to go by one rule.  Always promote from within whenever possible.  Now fortune smiled.  Jeff Alvis knew the north, south, east, and west of the city and its operations.  The choice was simple and the results speak for themselves.

And so… at this point I’m tempted to say that I feel pretty good about how far we’ve come on this Labor Day.  Not that there isn’t much more to be done!  There is!  The question is… how do you feel?  I guess we’ll all find out on Election Day.