I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving, fellow FCCMA members! As we exit election season and transition to a very different version of the holidays than what many of us are used to, I am excited. The election seemed to be the icing on the cake of an extremely difficult year for all of us, but now that the votes are counted and a winner is identified, it’s time to get to work!
From my perspective, the real issue that reared its ugly head this election season seemed to be the lack of willingness and/or ability of people on both sides of the political aisle to effectively communicate, share, and learn from each other. But here is the great news: there is no one better than local government managers to help our communities and our country overcome this issue. Now I know this is a time where everybody is tired and worn down, but it’s also an opportunity to have a significant positive impact on our communities by engaging with them and highlighting the importance of being open to various perspectives.
As we embark on the rest of the holiday season and times of transition, I want to encourage each of you to take time for yourselves, watch out for each other, and recharge your batteries. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and help get everyone back to what is right, rather than what is red or blue.
Now for a shameless plug – FCCMA is in the process of producing a pilot program for a podcast series. In the first episode, I will be talking about managing through COVID-19, mental health, and my community’s strategies for moving forward. Keep an eye out for the premiere of the podcast series soon and remember to cut me some slack, as I have never done a podcast before!
Wishing you all a very happy holiday season – stay safe!
