Haines Alaska News: Viewpoints
September 30, 2011MUCH IS AT STAKE IN THIS YEAR’S ELECTION
Vote on October 4th for effective leadership on the Haines Borough Assembly“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.” Thomas Jefferson (1789)
It has been said that leading our assembly is like herding cats. The reality is that the most appropriate leader today is one who can lead others to lead themselves. In order for our local government to be effective each of our six assembly members and the mayor must be able to inspire others and transcend their own personal interests to work for the benefit of the higher-order goals of our community.
To be an effective public leader it takes more than just being a good person. An effective public leader will inspire and engage the positive emotions of the community and work by developing commitment toward a shared vision. Effective public leaders will:
- Provide a vision which instills pride for the community and gains the respect and trust of the public.
- Communicate high expectations of followers and inspire individuals to make self-sacrifices and commitments to difficult goals.
- Motivate people to think and approach problems in new and different ways.
- Show consideration and give followers individual attention and direction.
Additionally, effective leaders must possess personal qualities whereby they consistently act with integrity, are decisive, analytical, and have effective critical thinking skills.
We rely on our leaders to recognize the need for change and to set high expectations for the borough. Our assembly must set obtainable goals and hold individuals accountable for meeting the goals set by the assembly.
In the last two years Haines Borough has endured numerous actions and inactions that have cost the tax payers of the borough unnecessary legal fees. Our community has been embroiled into an atmosphere that has stifled our ability to look forward and work towards proactively meeting the needs of the community.
In order for our community to remain vibrant today and into the future, it is necessary that we elect effective leaders that embrace sustainable economic development in our valley. Sustainable economic development is about responsibly developing the resources that are available. Sustainable development will allow the available resources to be productive today and remain productive in the future. Sustainable economic development is about continued abundance; it is not about going without.
We have the ability this fall to vote on five seats of the current assembly and for mayor. Now that things have gone so far wrong as to attract the notice of the people, we the people, need to step up and be relied on to set things right. Too much is at stake during this election. Every vote counts. Please vote on October 4th for effective leadership on the Haines Borough Assembly.
Brenda Jones
Received September 29, 2011 / Posted September 30, 2011
Viewpoints letters are the opinion of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Haines Alaska News.
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