It all flows downhill. In business, it is always the owner who is ultimately responsible for the way things go. Employees are only as effective as their bosses allow and enable them to be. I think the public has forgotten that we are at the top of the hill. Our attitudes and level of support flow down to those who work on our behalf. Ultimately, we are responsible for the way things go in our community.
I have lived, worked and helped run a business in this valley since 1982. During this time I have been proud to be a part of a very nurturing community. This is evidenced in the way we take care of our people and tend to the land. However, it stumps me when I witness residents of this valley not apply this same level of nurturing to support those who work for us as civic servants and leaders.
In my view, the past few years have been the most progressive for our community, thanks, in part, to a very competent town manager and elected officials working better together. This pleases me because if we don’t progress we decay. Many residents blame lack of communications to be at the heart of the varying civic issues that arise. Could it be our public attitude and beliefs about being disempowered (at the bottom of the hill) that is the real cause of these issues occurring in the first place? Are we the public taking full responsibility for how things go and turn out?
If we don’t take responsibility then we are vulnerable and susceptible to handing over our power to those who want power for its own sake and not for ours. I am suggesting that we the public recognize that when things are going well that our civic servants and leaders are being supported by our clear directive. When they don’t go well then we have been complacent and have given out mixed messages. We cannot blame the civic servants and leaders for us being ineffective because as we know everything flows downhill from us. I feel it is time for a cultural shift in attitude and belief.
Thank you Lou Varela, Town of Creston Manager, for tending to our vision and thoughtfully and progressively working for a better Creston. Even though I live in Wynndel your good work affected us all. You will be missed.
Debby Johnson
Wynndel, BC