I think we can sometimes get rocked to sleep by the nature of city business. I hear from many of my colleagues that they are frustrated by the slow pace of decision making and the ordeal of working within a bureaucracy. Do we wait for change to occur as it does with an election or a retirement of a key person. While change happens and many say that it is inevitable, I think we need to be proactive and always be aware that change can be the one thing that injects a positive energy into many organizations.
We need to look at change as healthy, even if it initially appears to be challenging. Embracing change can open new opportunities and create visions that will fundamentally improve our organizations.
Personal change is also included in this exercise. Our lives are not a dress rehearsal. We need to look in the mirror and evaluate our own situation. Sometimes digging down and challenging ourselves to change is of great personal benefit.
Organizations cry out for change. As leaders, do we wait for others to enact change or do we "become the change that we wish in the world".
EMBRACE CHANGE TODAY!!!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Bringing down the house
Is there a more pressing issue than vacant and dilapidated properties? How many crimes and drug deals are being conducted on the blighted streets of America as I write this? The cancer that is spreading throughout our country is devouring one neighborhood at a time and the declining values of property in our cities is a bigger threat to our future than gas prices, immigration and the war in Iraq combined.
How do we fix it? We might look in the mirror.
Each day I see the efforts of a few brave public officials and each time, I see that they have little support and even fewer people willing to stand up and go head to head with the owners of these eyesores. I can hardly believe that these slum owners have such political clout. I believe that they are like the bullies of the school yard. They threaten and fight, and rarely work towards solving the problem.
Let's stand up to the bullies. Let's go after the slum owners and make a difference in our cities. I do know that after demolishing hundreds of dilapidated buildings in the past several years, I have never had a citizen tell me how much they missed the drug dealers and thugs.
It is not an easy task, but one we must complete.
So long for now.
How do we fix it? We might look in the mirror.
Each day I see the efforts of a few brave public officials and each time, I see that they have little support and even fewer people willing to stand up and go head to head with the owners of these eyesores. I can hardly believe that these slum owners have such political clout. I believe that they are like the bullies of the school yard. They threaten and fight, and rarely work towards solving the problem.
Let's stand up to the bullies. Let's go after the slum owners and make a difference in our cities. I do know that after demolishing hundreds of dilapidated buildings in the past several years, I have never had a citizen tell me how much they missed the drug dealers and thugs.
It is not an easy task, but one we must complete.
So long for now.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
The Circus is in Town
Do you remember as a little kid the posters for the circus. They were everywhere. On telephone poles, on buildings, in storefronts. As I drove through town this morning, on my way to my office, I encountered an old van with two people, a man and a woman, putting up posters on the abandoned buildings in town. I guess I could have just driven by and got to look at the faded posters for the next six months. No, I just couldn't. I stopped and asked the couple if they had permission to put up the signs. They said the Armory had given them permission. I knew this wasn't true and then the couple started to get a little beligerent with me. I said that I would appreciate them removing the signs and putting them in the windows of businesses that would grant permission. Naturally, this did not go over well. I then took out my legal pad and wrote down their license plate number.(Out of State, naturally)
I told them that I would notify the police and the gentleman said I could _____en call the FBI if I wanted. As they headed down the street, the gentleman held out his arm and indicated that he thought our town was Number One!!!!
Unfortunately we see the results of neglect, vandalism and misguided circus promoters throughout the country. We need to focus on the Attention to Detail. Little things mean a lot. One less broken window or tattered awning, can inspire others to action.
I hope I don't get shot or beat up for this Attention to Detail, but I do think it is the way we get our cities on track. While I was confronting this circus couple, about 50 cars and 20 people on the street witnessed the episode. Maybe they will be the next to say, No In Our Town.
So long for now.
I told them that I would notify the police and the gentleman said I could _____en call the FBI if I wanted. As they headed down the street, the gentleman held out his arm and indicated that he thought our town was Number One!!!!
Unfortunately we see the results of neglect, vandalism and misguided circus promoters throughout the country. We need to focus on the Attention to Detail. Little things mean a lot. One less broken window or tattered awning, can inspire others to action.
I hope I don't get shot or beat up for this Attention to Detail, but I do think it is the way we get our cities on track. While I was confronting this circus couple, about 50 cars and 20 people on the street witnessed the episode. Maybe they will be the next to say, No In Our Town.
So long for now.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
City Videos, Friday Night Lights
I spent last night assembling a group of videos dealing with local government for the Amazing Cities web site (www.amazingcities.org) and I think you will find them AMAZING!!! Some are funny, some are scary and some are just downright entertaining to those of us in the business. It will take a little while to get them organized, but it will be worth the wait.
Videos are taking over the Internet and local government is no exception. If you haven't had a local gadfly with a video in your council chamber yet, it is coming. We are living in a digital age and very little goes unnoticed, even in the smallest towns.
It's too early to tell if this is a good trend. One thing that I think however, is that those of us who fight it, will lose. We are public figures and grabbing a camera or throwing someone in jail for speaking out at a council meeting only prolongs the agony and makes you a video star on YouTube.
Take a look at this Tucson, AZ council meeting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo7JV5iFJqI Has this guy ever been to your mee
ting? Read the shirt!!
Videos are taking over the Internet and local government is no exception. If you haven't had a local gadfly with a video in your council chamber yet, it is coming. We are living in a digital age and very little goes unnoticed, even in the smallest towns.
It's too early to tell if this is a good trend. One thing that I think however, is that those of us who fight it, will lose. We are public figures and grabbing a camera or throwing someone in jail for speaking out at a council meeting only prolongs the agony and makes you a video star on YouTube.
Take a look at this Tucson, AZ council meeting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo7JV5iFJqI Has this guy ever been to your mee
ting? Read the shirt!!How about Mayor Rocky Anderson getting it on with Bill O'Reilly?
How about this guy in Seattle? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXSWjVzdaF8
How would you like to be at this council meeting in Saratoga Springs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9IH5FT4V94
Does this ever happen to you in your council? Funny!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE5RIUo0zGQ&mode=related&search=
So much for my Friday night. It's a whole new world and one that puts us squarely in the public eye. Are you ready?
I've been speaking to several groups lately about how to deal with this new digital age and it is turning into one of my most popular programs. If you are having trouble understanding this new technology age, give me a call at 304-629-1302 or e-mail me at jimhunt@amazingcities.org and we can see if I'll be in your area soon.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Creating Amazing Habits
As I stopped at a stoplight in our city, I noticed a piece of paper flying in the air. It passed by a citizen walking down the street and I noticed that he just looked at it and it seemed to me that for a fleeting second, he considered grabbing it and putting it in a trash can. Is this just my civic optimism?
For as long as I remember, I have picked up paper and cans in our city and put them in the trash cans. Does it make a difference? I think it does. It is a habit that sends a message to others that "if a councilman can bend over and pick up litter, why can't they?" I also feel better as a person. I know that I didn't put it there, but isn't that a big part of local governance. We do things because they are right, not because we personally caused the problem. I will admit it is a habit. Just like my love for donuts at our local bakery. I don't need them but I have a "habit" that draws me up the street each day.
How do you form a habit, either good or bad? I think the experts say that habits are formed by doing something consistantly for around 30 days. I think this is about right. You don't gain thirty pounds by stopping for ice cream twice a month. You do it by consistantly stopping, day after day and then it becomes almost uncontrollable. That is also how you create good habits.
You can also model good behavior by doing the things that many people feel "is not their job". I learned a good lesson a few years ago when I joined our local Kiwanis Club "Adopt a Highway" Program. Early on Saturday morning, about 15 sleepy Kiwanians meet at a local park and put on orange vests and head out to clean up "our" section of highway. At first you feel like a work release prisoner as cars go by and look at you. But after a while you start to take pride in your little section of road and you wave and shout at your friends who are heading out for an early round of golf. You have to wonder if they feel a little guilty seeing this odd assortment of bankers, lawyers and business owners cleaning up the highway of old beer bottles, McDonald's bags and things you really don't want to know about. It is a habit and as I write this, I realize that this Saturday is "Adopt a Highway" day.
As civic leaders, we need to model good behavior in order to create Amazing Habits for our fellow citizens. If picking up litter is beneath us, then what hope is there that a young high school student will throw away his hamburger wrapper in the litter barrel. It has also been said that being a good citizen is doing something, even when no one is looking. I believe it. You would be surprised how many times I pick up a can or paper and I turn around and run into someone that I didn't think was there.
I hope this little note on Amazing Habits will inspire you to create some Amazing habits of your own. You will feel better, your community will be a little cleaner and someone else will take note and may change their behavior.
Have an Amazing Day!!!!
For as long as I remember, I have picked up paper and cans in our city and put them in the trash cans. Does it make a difference? I think it does. It is a habit that sends a message to others that "if a councilman can bend over and pick up litter, why can't they?" I also feel better as a person. I know that I didn't put it there, but isn't that a big part of local governance. We do things because they are right, not because we personally caused the problem. I will admit it is a habit. Just like my love for donuts at our local bakery. I don't need them but I have a "habit" that draws me up the street each day.
How do you form a habit, either good or bad? I think the experts say that habits are formed by doing something consistantly for around 30 days. I think this is about right. You don't gain thirty pounds by stopping for ice cream twice a month. You do it by consistantly stopping, day after day and then it becomes almost uncontrollable. That is also how you create good habits.
You can also model good behavior by doing the things that many people feel "is not their job". I learned a good lesson a few years ago when I joined our local Kiwanis Club "Adopt a Highway" Program. Early on Saturday morning, about 15 sleepy Kiwanians meet at a local park and put on orange vests and head out to clean up "our" section of highway. At first you feel like a work release prisoner as cars go by and look at you. But after a while you start to take pride in your little section of road and you wave and shout at your friends who are heading out for an early round of golf. You have to wonder if they feel a little guilty seeing this odd assortment of bankers, lawyers and business owners cleaning up the highway of old beer bottles, McDonald's bags and things you really don't want to know about. It is a habit and as I write this, I realize that this Saturday is "Adopt a Highway" day.
As civic leaders, we need to model good behavior in order to create Amazing Habits for our fellow citizens. If picking up litter is beneath us, then what hope is there that a young high school student will throw away his hamburger wrapper in the litter barrel. It has also been said that being a good citizen is doing something, even when no one is looking. I believe it. You would be surprised how many times I pick up a can or paper and I turn around and run into someone that I didn't think was there.
I hope this little note on Amazing Habits will inspire you to create some Amazing habits of your own. You will feel better, your community will be a little cleaner and someone else will take note and may change their behavior.
Have an Amazing Day!!!!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Newsletter launch
I am pleased to announce the release of the first issue of the Amazing Cities Newsletter. This is going to be a great addition to Amazing Cities. Most people who do newsletters tell me that getting good content each month is the biggest issue. My issue seems to be sifting through lots of content to bring about the best newsletter possible. We have so many great stories and I have been writing down story ideas each day. I hope that everyone will get behind the newsletter and contribute to make it an effective tool and one that people like to receive each month.
Never before have I had such excitement about doing something as I have had with Amazing Cities. Things just seem to be falling into place and great partners have appeared, literally as I need them. I have been having a hard time falling asleep at night because my mind is so full of great ideas for Amazing Cities. One that I had the other night was to produce a video editon of the newsletter. That is underway and the link is on the first page of the website at www.amazingcities.org I think video will really be the thing that sets Amazing Cities apart. I hope to build a site full of useful information that will assist local officials and citizens alike.
That's it for now. I'll put up links for the newsletter as soon as it is "on the streets".
Never before have I had such excitement about doing something as I have had with Amazing Cities. Things just seem to be falling into place and great partners have appeared, literally as I need them. I have been having a hard time falling asleep at night because my mind is so full of great ideas for Amazing Cities. One that I had the other night was to produce a video editon of the newsletter. That is underway and the link is on the first page of the website at www.amazingcities.org I think video will really be the thing that sets Amazing Cities apart. I hope to build a site full of useful information that will assist local officials and citizens alike.
That's it for now. I'll put up links for the newsletter as soon as it is "on the streets".
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Welcome to Amazing Cities
Thank you for visiting my Amazing Cities Blog. This is an extension of the blog that I started as the President of the National League of Cities. That blog was a journal of my travels and experiences as I traveled throughout the country and worked to build a network of communities in the Inclusive Communities Partnership. I enjoy blogging and hope that this blog reflects my excitement as I move into a new stage of my life as I chronicle the growth and activities of Amazing Cities, an organization dedicated to excellence in local governance.
Amazing Cities is unlike any other resource available to local government officials and citizens. It is grass roots and comes from a lifetime of "in the trenches" work in local government. It will highlight excellence in local governance and create an environment for local officials and citizens, alike, to discuss and debate strategies to make their communities grow and prosper.
Amazing Cities will also highlight the emerging technologies that creates an opportunity for cities to live in a "global village" and serve a diverse and changing population. Blogs, websites, broadband and other tools have largely been underused by local governments and we cannot reach for excellence by using technology of a previous century.
In the "flat world" of Author Thomas Friedman, cities will have to be responsive and inclusive if they expect to stay relevant. Organizations, such as the National League of Cities, will need to adopt a global connection to partners in other countries and prepare local leaders in their roles as world citizens. Best practices might come from Chile and Bejing as well as Boise and San Jose.
Boldness will be rewarded and timidness will be leave you left behind on the roadside.
I am excited and feel that we will look back on these times as among the most piviotal in all of human history. I feel honored to be in the unique position to lead an effort to help build Amazing Cities.
Amazing Cities is unlike any other resource available to local government officials and citizens. It is grass roots and comes from a lifetime of "in the trenches" work in local government. It will highlight excellence in local governance and create an environment for local officials and citizens, alike, to discuss and debate strategies to make their communities grow and prosper.
Amazing Cities will also highlight the emerging technologies that creates an opportunity for cities to live in a "global village" and serve a diverse and changing population. Blogs, websites, broadband and other tools have largely been underused by local governments and we cannot reach for excellence by using technology of a previous century.
In the "flat world" of Author Thomas Friedman, cities will have to be responsive and inclusive if they expect to stay relevant. Organizations, such as the National League of Cities, will need to adopt a global connection to partners in other countries and prepare local leaders in their roles as world citizens. Best practices might come from Chile and Bejing as well as Boise and San Jose.
Boldness will be rewarded and timidness will be leave you left behind on the roadside.
I am excited and feel that we will look back on these times as among the most piviotal in all of human history. I feel honored to be in the unique position to lead an effort to help build Amazing Cities.
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