“Openness and Transparency”, is a popular buzz phrase in our culture today. We expect leaders doing the public’s business to be open and transparent. The convenience of modern technology has made it easier than ever; but the practice is almost unnatural to those of us who have been leaders in the public sector. It is a struggle to change old ways of doing things.
Similarly, the general public is not accustomed to responding to government leaders when they do reach out for input – except, of course, in a crisis or when some unpopular action is taken, or when we have a self-serving request.
Changing attitudes – among the citizens and their leaders! That is what the We The People initiative is all about – fostering attitudes wherein widespread public dialog, courteously done, about important issues is just the comfortable and right way to do things.
Visionary? Maybe. Idealistic? Surely. Difficult? Absolutely.
We need you! For the sake of Uncle Sam!
Ed Allen
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I AM DOWNTOWN!!!!
I am writing today wearing two hats; 1) as an ordinary citizen of Owensboro/Daviess County and 2) as the Executive Director of the “We the People” Initiative. I moved here in 2006 with my family and like many people immediately gravitated to the downtown area to see what it had to offer. I was disheartened as I walked up and down the streets looking at abandoned buildings, vacant parking lots and in general unkempt conditions. It was clear that this was a downtown on the way to becoming a ghost town. I was surprised and wondered why the downtown wasn’t prosperous, especially with an asset like the beautiful Ohio River right there. When I would comment on the downtown area, people would say “Owensboro is just an old river town and it will always be this way”.
In 2008, when I took the position of Executive Director of “We the People” I was excited to find out that I was not alone in my thinking. Downtown revitalization and transformation was the number one priority in Economic Development that came from the 2007 “We the People” America Speaks 21st Town Meeting. Soon after I started my job, the Gateway Planning Group started designing a plan for a new downtown. “We the People” were apart of the planning even facilitating unprecedented public participation in that downtown plan. “We the People” unveiled the final plan at our November 2008 first anniversary celebration. Excitement was in the air as so many of us felt there was true hope for our community. Since then, there has been much negativity throughout the community after a tax increase was passed to pay for the downtown plan.
I congratulate our public officials for looking to our future and investing in our community. This project is surely an economic development gift that we cannot pass up!!!! I encourage all of the downtown supporters to come forth and help us channel the momentum from the town meeting. Let’s support our downtown to become a place that is prosperous, thriving and a place we are all proud to call home. Let’s make it a place that keeps our children here and a place that will bring our children back.
Shelly Nichols
In 2008, when I took the position of Executive Director of “We the People” I was excited to find out that I was not alone in my thinking. Downtown revitalization and transformation was the number one priority in Economic Development that came from the 2007 “We the People” America Speaks 21st Town Meeting. Soon after I started my job, the Gateway Planning Group started designing a plan for a new downtown. “We the People” were apart of the planning even facilitating unprecedented public participation in that downtown plan. “We the People” unveiled the final plan at our November 2008 first anniversary celebration. Excitement was in the air as so many of us felt there was true hope for our community. Since then, there has been much negativity throughout the community after a tax increase was passed to pay for the downtown plan.
I congratulate our public officials for looking to our future and investing in our community. This project is surely an economic development gift that we cannot pass up!!!! I encourage all of the downtown supporters to come forth and help us channel the momentum from the town meeting. Let’s support our downtown to become a place that is prosperous, thriving and a place we are all proud to call home. Let’s make it a place that keeps our children here and a place that will bring our children back.
Shelly Nichols
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Rise of the Creative Class
First of all…wow….It seems as though I have been going in so many directions the past few months. But I wouldn’t be entirely truthful if I said that my activity has been for "work", or "business".
I made a conscience attempt early in my 20s to engage myself in activities that were completely meaningful to me. Particularly over the past 10 years, I’d like to think that my family (my wife, children, mother, mother-in-law, brother, etc…) have been witness to a life led with passion, feeling, and purpose.
This past week I’ve been engaging my students in the use of Twitter. As of today over 55 of my current students are on Twitter. What I have seen with my students, just in this week, is that because of this opportunity, they now have a higher level of energy for thinking, observation, expression, and a desire to establish something special. They’ve been given a simple opportunity to create.
So this brings me to the point of community development. And now you say, "huh?" "What?"
I was turned on to a groundbreaking perspective in community and social development in early 2004: "The Rise of the Creative Class."
Over the past 15 years I have had a keen interest in community development. A large part of my academic training, and what I do now as Assistant Professor of Sociology at OCTC, is focus attention on society, culture, and human behavior.
So the Creative Class argument set forth by Richard Florida completely resonated with me. The premise of his work is this: people want to be freed or empowered to create. Not only is that perhaps an innate human desire, oddly enough, it is tied to community and social development in the 21st century. Give people the opportunity, create the environment for wonderful things, and let people go. Give them the tools needed to be and do something extraordinary. In turn, his research points to high rates of economic growth, population stability and growth, and citizens reporting very high levels of quality of life: both personally and in terms of how they view their community.
So let me give you something to chew on, and perhaps you can provide a comment or two: what types of opportunities and access should our community have to allow people to be creative? Think about the possibilities all across the spectrum: religion, government, education, the arts, in the workplace. An alternative question to consider: is our community too stagnant to the point of being unwilling to accept change? Do our institutions have an inviting environment which encourages participation, engagement, and creativity?
Chad Gesser is Assistant Professor Sociology at Owensboro Community and Technical College chad.gesser@kctcs.edu
I made a conscience attempt early in my 20s to engage myself in activities that were completely meaningful to me. Particularly over the past 10 years, I’d like to think that my family (my wife, children, mother, mother-in-law, brother, etc…) have been witness to a life led with passion, feeling, and purpose.
This past week I’ve been engaging my students in the use of Twitter. As of today over 55 of my current students are on Twitter. What I have seen with my students, just in this week, is that because of this opportunity, they now have a higher level of energy for thinking, observation, expression, and a desire to establish something special. They’ve been given a simple opportunity to create.
So this brings me to the point of community development. And now you say, "huh?" "What?"
I was turned on to a groundbreaking perspective in community and social development in early 2004: "The Rise of the Creative Class."
Over the past 15 years I have had a keen interest in community development. A large part of my academic training, and what I do now as Assistant Professor of Sociology at OCTC, is focus attention on society, culture, and human behavior.
So the Creative Class argument set forth by Richard Florida completely resonated with me. The premise of his work is this: people want to be freed or empowered to create. Not only is that perhaps an innate human desire, oddly enough, it is tied to community and social development in the 21st century. Give people the opportunity, create the environment for wonderful things, and let people go. Give them the tools needed to be and do something extraordinary. In turn, his research points to high rates of economic growth, population stability and growth, and citizens reporting very high levels of quality of life: both personally and in terms of how they view their community.
So let me give you something to chew on, and perhaps you can provide a comment or two: what types of opportunities and access should our community have to allow people to be creative? Think about the possibilities all across the spectrum: religion, government, education, the arts, in the workplace. An alternative question to consider: is our community too stagnant to the point of being unwilling to accept change? Do our institutions have an inviting environment which encourages participation, engagement, and creativity?
Chad Gesser is Assistant Professor Sociology at Owensboro Community and Technical College chad.gesser@kctcs.edu
Monday, March 30, 2009
What about Economic Self-Sufficiency.........
The economic self sufficiency of working low to moderate income families is directly related to their ability to effectively nurture and educate their children. Since the success of families in that endeavor will have a profound influence on the future economic well being of our community, it is in our self interest to support public policies that promote family financial stability.
Helping families to effectively use mainstream financial services (banks and credit unions) is an essential element in achieving economic self sufficiency. The rapid growth of the alternative financial services industry (cash advance, payday loan, check cashing, rent to own, etc.) is undermining the efforts of our community’s working low to moderate income families to provide the basic necessities required for self sufficiency. Although marketed to the consumer as a source of emergency funds, these business enterprises thrive by attracting a significant number of their borrowers to return multiple times over the course of a year where they will pay an annual percentage rate of interest of over 400%.
Public officials in Kentucky who are concerned about the growing challenges of working low to moderate income families should enact restrictions on payday loans that are consistent with the 36% cap that the federal government imposes on what can be charged to military personnel. If you believe that the payday loan industry is bad for Kentucky’s families, tell state representatives, Jim Glenn and Tommy Thompson and state senator David Boswell and ask them to support a 36% cap on pay day loans.
BigRed
Helping families to effectively use mainstream financial services (banks and credit unions) is an essential element in achieving economic self sufficiency. The rapid growth of the alternative financial services industry (cash advance, payday loan, check cashing, rent to own, etc.) is undermining the efforts of our community’s working low to moderate income families to provide the basic necessities required for self sufficiency. Although marketed to the consumer as a source of emergency funds, these business enterprises thrive by attracting a significant number of their borrowers to return multiple times over the course of a year where they will pay an annual percentage rate of interest of over 400%.
Public officials in Kentucky who are concerned about the growing challenges of working low to moderate income families should enact restrictions on payday loans that are consistent with the 36% cap that the federal government imposes on what can be charged to military personnel. If you believe that the payday loan industry is bad for Kentucky’s families, tell state representatives, Jim Glenn and Tommy Thompson and state senator David Boswell and ask them to support a 36% cap on pay day loans.
BigRed
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES---A MUST FOR THE FUTURE
I’m not sure if most people really understand the concept of sustainability. It’s not wondering whether a glass is half empty or half full; it’s recognizing whether the level is steady or if water is slowing draining out. This can apply to anything: the number of forested acres in the state of Kentucky, the volume of topsoil on Midwestern agricultural fields, or the total amount of petroleum in the Earth’s crust. All of these are slowly decreasing, and without serious changes in consumption patterns will someday run out.
As far as I can tell, the recent economic meltdown was not caused by the depletion of natural resources. However, it is kind of a similar situation. Too many homes were being built and finally there was no one left who could afford to pay for them. I truly hope we can use the current situation as an opportunity to rebuild an economy built on sustainable practices, instead of greasing up the old fossil fuel machine. If not, then it’s all going to collapse one day down the road, and then there will be little with which to rebuild.
Jill Flachskam
As far as I can tell, the recent economic meltdown was not caused by the depletion of natural resources. However, it is kind of a similar situation. Too many homes were being built and finally there was no one left who could afford to pay for them. I truly hope we can use the current situation as an opportunity to rebuild an economy built on sustainable practices, instead of greasing up the old fossil fuel machine. If not, then it’s all going to collapse one day down the road, and then there will be little with which to rebuild.
Jill Flachskam
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
TO HELL AND BACK
TO HELL AND BACK
In the military there have been leaders that the soldiers would have gone to hell and back. Because they believed in the cause they were ask to believe in. This kind of leadership is rare today; how many leaders are there to get behind like this. I would if the leader will be transparent and open. Transparency makes for a clear path to leadership credibility being over-whelmingly honest. Leaders think they are overwhelmingly honest, but many followers say otherwise. In leadership assessments, over 50% of almost 13,000 peers and direct reports felt their leaders could improve in being honest and ethical (Karen Walker & Barbra Payno).
Transparent leaders when not able to share certain information with their followers-perhaps because they do not yet have all the pieces or because, for whatever reason; they are unable to tell-the unbreakable principle of honesty requires them to say: “I can’t tell you that right now, but heres what I can say.” Then overwhelmingly honesty should be delivered with respect and concern for others. There should be no hidden agendas.
Dear elected leaders, with all due respect, I will follow: but I am looking for leadership credibility that is overwhelmingly honest. Honesty is a core value, not only is trust built; another result occurs. Citizens become tolerant of not having all the facts, the facts will become open quickly and openly.
There can be no hidden agenda’s, about 99,000 voices deserve to be heard and involved, not the few. Would I go to hell and back? Give me the facts and truth deliberately overwhelmingly honestly and I fall in.
How many are willing to go to hell and back for the 99,000?
Larry Bidwell
packerbacker
In the military there have been leaders that the soldiers would have gone to hell and back. Because they believed in the cause they were ask to believe in. This kind of leadership is rare today; how many leaders are there to get behind like this. I would if the leader will be transparent and open. Transparency makes for a clear path to leadership credibility being over-whelmingly honest. Leaders think they are overwhelmingly honest, but many followers say otherwise. In leadership assessments, over 50% of almost 13,000 peers and direct reports felt their leaders could improve in being honest and ethical (Karen Walker & Barbra Payno).
Transparent leaders when not able to share certain information with their followers-perhaps because they do not yet have all the pieces or because, for whatever reason; they are unable to tell-the unbreakable principle of honesty requires them to say: “I can’t tell you that right now, but heres what I can say.” Then overwhelmingly honesty should be delivered with respect and concern for others. There should be no hidden agendas.
Dear elected leaders, with all due respect, I will follow: but I am looking for leadership credibility that is overwhelmingly honest. Honesty is a core value, not only is trust built; another result occurs. Citizens become tolerant of not having all the facts, the facts will become open quickly and openly.
There can be no hidden agenda’s, about 99,000 voices deserve to be heard and involved, not the few. Would I go to hell and back? Give me the facts and truth deliberately overwhelmingly honestly and I fall in.
How many are willing to go to hell and back for the 99,000?
Larry Bidwell
packerbacker
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Ten Impressions of the Downtown Plan
1. The downtown master plan is a very good thing. Long overdue. Key to our community’s future and appeal. Just as important to the county as the city.
2. Communities that are thriving invest in themselves – in their infrastructure, in amenities that will give them distinction and a competitive edge in attracting talent.
3. You can always find places that tax less, but no one wants to live there because they don’t have anything to offer.
4. We need to get back in the convention business. We’ve lost a vital industry. The Executive Inn and Sportscenter are not marketable. It makes sense to combine a convention center with an arena in a first-rate multi-purpose downtown events center.
5. We are the envy of many cities to have an 18 acre redevelopment opportunity on the edge of our downtown along a panoramic bend of a mighty river.
6. City and county officials had two options to finance the downtown plan: an increase in the occupational/net profits tax or the insurance tax. The shortcoming of the occupational tax: retired individuals would not contribute, nor would citizens who live in Owensboro-Daviess County but work in Hancock, Warrick or other counties.
7. The revenue stream from the insurance tax will enable the city and county to borrow funds to make the downtown infrastructure improvements and build the public facilities necessary to attract hotel, residential, retail, office, restaurant and entertainment projects. A $79 million investment is expected to stimulate several hundred million dollars in private investment. Leaders who have transformed downtowns in other cities stress to us: If the public sector does not invest in the downtown, neither will the private sector.
8. The $79 million will primarily be spent two ways: labor and materials. If ever our local economy needed an infusion of funds that will benefit contractors, suppliers and the skilled trades, it is now. Postpone the project? Ask the hundreds of former employees of the Executive Inn if they want to wait five-ten years before having a chance to get a job at a new convention center?
9. All that being said, there should have been more public dialogue on the financing of the downtown plan. I wish officials had taken more time to educate the public, to explain the importance of the plan, the options that were available to them, the comparisons of taxation from other cities, the return on investment they could expect. Public input required in mandated public hearings is not the same thing as open and thorough public dialogue. Many people may have opposed the tax under any circumstances, but officials could have addressed the many misconceptions that have since circulated. They could have reduced the harsh feelings that are unfortunate and unnecessary.
10. Our community still faces many unresolved issues associated with the downtown plan. For example:
· Do we save a portion of the Executive Inn or use the currently closed exhibition hall until a new events center can be built?
· Do we relocate state agencies and use the state building property for a hotel convention center?
· Should we reserve sites for additional hotels around the convention center?
· What will be the process and policy through which developers are solicited and selected in public-private partnerships?
· What features and facilities should characterize the market square block? How much property should be cleared for that purpose?
As we move forward with more specific plans and designs, our community will be well-served by a fully transparent public process. Given the recent hostility that came forth as part of the insurance tax proposal, it is more important than ever that we inform and engage the citizenry and openly disclose issues and challenges, options, timelines, costs, trade-offs and the rationale used in making recommendations. Unlike this latest destructive polemic, let’s do all we can do to make the downtown program a positive, community building experience.
Rodney Berry
2. Communities that are thriving invest in themselves – in their infrastructure, in amenities that will give them distinction and a competitive edge in attracting talent.
3. You can always find places that tax less, but no one wants to live there because they don’t have anything to offer.
4. We need to get back in the convention business. We’ve lost a vital industry. The Executive Inn and Sportscenter are not marketable. It makes sense to combine a convention center with an arena in a first-rate multi-purpose downtown events center.
5. We are the envy of many cities to have an 18 acre redevelopment opportunity on the edge of our downtown along a panoramic bend of a mighty river.
6. City and county officials had two options to finance the downtown plan: an increase in the occupational/net profits tax or the insurance tax. The shortcoming of the occupational tax: retired individuals would not contribute, nor would citizens who live in Owensboro-Daviess County but work in Hancock, Warrick or other counties.
7. The revenue stream from the insurance tax will enable the city and county to borrow funds to make the downtown infrastructure improvements and build the public facilities necessary to attract hotel, residential, retail, office, restaurant and entertainment projects. A $79 million investment is expected to stimulate several hundred million dollars in private investment. Leaders who have transformed downtowns in other cities stress to us: If the public sector does not invest in the downtown, neither will the private sector.
8. The $79 million will primarily be spent two ways: labor and materials. If ever our local economy needed an infusion of funds that will benefit contractors, suppliers and the skilled trades, it is now. Postpone the project? Ask the hundreds of former employees of the Executive Inn if they want to wait five-ten years before having a chance to get a job at a new convention center?
9. All that being said, there should have been more public dialogue on the financing of the downtown plan. I wish officials had taken more time to educate the public, to explain the importance of the plan, the options that were available to them, the comparisons of taxation from other cities, the return on investment they could expect. Public input required in mandated public hearings is not the same thing as open and thorough public dialogue. Many people may have opposed the tax under any circumstances, but officials could have addressed the many misconceptions that have since circulated. They could have reduced the harsh feelings that are unfortunate and unnecessary.
10. Our community still faces many unresolved issues associated with the downtown plan. For example:
· Do we save a portion of the Executive Inn or use the currently closed exhibition hall until a new events center can be built?
· Do we relocate state agencies and use the state building property for a hotel convention center?
· Should we reserve sites for additional hotels around the convention center?
· What will be the process and policy through which developers are solicited and selected in public-private partnerships?
· What features and facilities should characterize the market square block? How much property should be cleared for that purpose?
As we move forward with more specific plans and designs, our community will be well-served by a fully transparent public process. Given the recent hostility that came forth as part of the insurance tax proposal, it is more important than ever that we inform and engage the citizenry and openly disclose issues and challenges, options, timelines, costs, trade-offs and the rationale used in making recommendations. Unlike this latest destructive polemic, let’s do all we can do to make the downtown program a positive, community building experience.
Rodney Berry
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