A Call for a New Citizenship

Before I came to the City of Eau Claire, I was aware of the Civic Engagement process and all the work being done with Clear Vision. I truly believe that an actively engaged citizenry is important to addressing the existing and future challenges facing our community.  Effective and enduring civic engagement requires the development and adoption of a community-wide, problem-solving skill set offered to our citizens.

Unfortunately, not all of our citizens are committed to the engagement process.  This is a call for a new citizenship for our City. This new citizenship should represent all of Eau Claire from our many different occupations, cultures, and perspectives. This new citizenship must remember that government is of, …  and by, ….. as well as for the people. It is a democracy whose politics is our common public work: where citizens are as prudent in deliberation as we expect our representatives to be; where public problem solving takes the place of private complaint; where all give life to liberty and where rights are complemented by the responsibilities that make them real. A citizen democracy turns blame of others into self-reliance and mutual aid. It transforms passive clients and consumers into active agents of change in our communities. It seeks structures to the public and to community and civic associations, and the renewal of government and civic institutions alike as sites for public work.

This new citizenship speaks from the vantage point of a 'third sector'—that vibrant array of voluntary associations, religious congregations, schools and colleges, the free press, professional groups, and community organizations that mediate between government and the market and that span the space between private life and the world of mega-institutions. It encourages the civic dimension of every identity—the renewal of the citizen-politician, truly "civil" civil servant, civic professional, civic-minded businessperson, religious leader, union activist, community organizer, and citizen-soldier.  

I would like to share with you a quote Martin Luther King, Jr. when he explained the purpose for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August of 1963.

"In a neighborhood dispute there may be stunts, rough words, and even hot insults; but when a whole people speaks to its government, the dialogue and the action must be on a level reflecting the worth of that people and the responsibility of that government."

We need to commit ourselves to a common citizenship that honors difference and incorporates diversity. From the myriad of races, cultures, and communities of interest, we draw shared values rooted not in sameness but in the common ground of our shared tasks and obligations to future generations. We shall regard our diversity as a strength. Citizenship is a bond that holds potential to unite people of radically diverse backgrounds, ages, and viewpoints. It allows us to enter public life with equal dignity, no matter what our social or economic status.

The New Citizenship calls on all of us to reassert common agency and to repossess democracy. We need to continue to invite our fellow citizens to make Eau Claire a community of choice and provide a home not only for us, but for generations to come.

In closing here is another quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.

"There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

Welcome to 2013

As we enter into 2013, I wanted to share with you this story that I read on a friend’s  Facebook page, regarding a farmer and his donkey.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

The moral of the story is:

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

As we begin this new year, I would like you to remember five simple rules to be happy:

     1.  Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
     2.  Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
     3.  Live simply and appreciate what you have.
     4.  Give more (that one extra degree).
     5.  Expect less from people but more from yourself.

Welcome Message from the City Manager

CHANGE...

After former coach Bret Bielema left the University of Wisconsin for the University of Arkansas, Athletic Director Barry Alvarez said "No one likes change, but you can grow through change and there's opportunity through change."

I was provided with an opportunity to lead Eau Claire and, in order to pursue this wonderful opportunity, I had to make many changes in my life.  It is not easy to pick up your family and move to another part of the state.  If you haven’t had the chance to do this, it can be very stressful when you have to find a new church, grocery store, barber, dentist and all the other comforts of life.  My wife has been very supportive in this endeavor, and I am very grateful. 

What has really helped us during this transition is the warm and friendly reception we have received from everyone we meet in the City.  Eau Claire is truly a friendly, healthy, vibrant and productive community of exceptional beauty.

In case you have not met me, you will find that I am a very open and approachable person.  I have been in local government in one way or another for over 30 years and was the Village Manager in Brown Deer for close to 15 years.  I believe I have a pretty good understanding of what it takes to lead a community organization and what is necessary to provide for the common good and deliver services essential for a safe, sustainable and engaged community.

Outside of work, I am an avid sports fan who follows basketball and football.  Being born and raised 30 miles from Lambeau Field, I am a die-hard Packers fan and a follower of the University of Wisconsin Badgers.  I actually convinced my wife, Mary Jo, to take a trip to Hawaii to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, which was booked as part of a tour package, to watch the Badgers football team play the University of Hawaii.  In addition, I enjoy golf; however, I am a below average golfer.  In fact, I golf in a military style in that I am often on the left side of the fairway, then right side, then left, then right, and sometimes I manage to land on the green!

I realize that there may be some uncertainties in having a new City Manager lead the organization.  I would like to ask for a few things as we move forward.  First, I would like you to keep an open mind and think about why we do the things we do.  Second, please be receptive to new ideas or suggestions on how things can get accomplished.  Remember there are always different paths to take to reach the final destination and that success is in the journey.  Third, always keep in mind our organizational values of service, fairness, accountability, integrity, collaboration and opportunity. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to share one idea with you.  Do you know the difference between 211 degrees and 212 degrees?  Raising the temperature by one extra degree means the difference between water that is very hot to boiling water.  With boiling water comes steam, and with steam there is enough energy to power a locomotive.  That one extra degree can make a difference.  What can you do to generate one extra degree?  Small things like giving one more degree can be the difference between good and great.

And finally, I ask for your patience.  It will take me awhile to get to know you and for all of you to get to know me. I am a very optimistic person and remember the words from Barry Alvarez,

“… there’s opportunity through change.”  I hope you all have a very

Merry Christmas/Happy Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!