2008 HAS ARRIVED…TIME TO WORK

As has been my practice, for the two years I have been writing this column, I avoided talking politics during the holiday season going from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The way I look at it, most people would rather not hear about politics as they eat their turkey and pumpkin pie.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and that the New Year brings you great joy and success.

So, what is going on in the world of local politics?

The Board of Education is looking at setting objectives for the rest of this year, as well as, the 2008-2009 school year. We are also preparing to tackle our budget with some training for Board members, a new Audit Committee, and an“Community Conversation” before the budget is set so we get your input before we spend your money….wow what a thought!

The Town Council has its hands full as well. The year ended with Council members addressing mandating “tipper barrels”, which does not sound that exciting, but the cost savings could be of great help to next years budget.

They also dealt with the issue of social service grants and the issue of helping people in need of assistance. The debate was not over the concern for those facing hard times but who and, how we should pay for it. Tough job to say the least!

So how do the elected leaders in our town make up their minds on what is best for the overall town? More directly, how should we go about deciding where your dollars are spent in the 2008-2009 budget?

Is there a perfect process for getting to the point of approving the future budget?

The simple answer is no, there is no easy, perfect budget process.

But, there are some basic budget preparation principles that will always work to get us headed in the right direction.

First, look at where the money is being spent. Before looking for what you want to do next year, examine where the money is going and decide if the money is needed in all areas of your current budget.

On the school side of the budget ask if every program is relevant for the needs of the student and their future success? Is the subject matter outdated and is there a subject that would better prepare our kids for life.

With millions of dollars being spent each year on education, it is important to make sure we revisit the current budget and see if every item is still needed.

Second, be realistic about what the citizens can afford. After we go through and clean up the current budget and before we ask the administration and staff what they would like in the future budget, ask the big question….What can we afford?

Some believe that public funding for government has no limits. Some even believe that there is an expectation that taxes go up every year to meet the "cost" demands. Cost demands that are created by a philosophy that there are no limits to government spending, and the cycle continues. Reminds me of that old "Breck Shampoo" commercial....and on, and on, and on...you get the idea.

The fact is, there should never be an assumption that taxes rise each year.

Third, learn to listen and be willing to change your mind. Now this may sound like being willing to compromise and I guess if you want to use that word you could. My thinking here is that we elected nine Board of Education members and eleven Council members in November. Every one of us comes to the table with a certain belief system and ideology.

But, although we may have expertise in an area, the greatest wisdom usually prevails with debate and dialog. Healthy debate is what has made our nation what it is today. Sharing opposing view points and defending your opinion in the public forum is a great way to force an issue to the best decision.

But, as much as we want our voices to be heard, to truly be called a leader we need to learn the art of listening as well. I have heard some say the test of great leadership is moving your agenda forward. I believe that true leadership is moving the best agenda forward. One author said; learn to hear, before being heard. Not bad advice.

The budget process will entail more then I have written, but these are some basic guiding principles that can be used as a starting point.

Greg Stokes

NEW YEAR AND NEW GOALS

Next week we will turn the calendar page and enter into a New Year. Now, with every New Year comes the opportunity to re-create ourselves and set new goals.

For most of my adult life I have taken inventory of myself and what I am accomplishing when we come to a new year. Some things that I planned last year at this time have worked out very well, while other goals did not pan out as well as I would have liked.

But, no matter if I succeeded or failed I always sit down and write out what I want to accomplish in the new year. My goals are usually divided into three categories, personal, professional, and political (public service). Without setting goals we all would find ourselves drifting through the year and never knowing if we are achieving our best.

Here is some advice that I would share with anyone seeking to make the year 2008 the best it can be. Of course you may have your own plan and your way of creating success for the new year, but these have always worked for me.

One, be specific about what you want to accomplish in the major areas of your life. Whether it is losing a certain amount of weight, which I set every year, or how much money you want to save, it is important to write down specific goals. Now, we may not meet the goal, but without a goal we would never strive for something.

Two, create a plan for the new year. What is it you want to achieve this coming year? Once that is decided then write out a plan of attack that you can follow throughout the year. The plan does not have to be overly detailed, but it should have timelines that allow you to see progress.

Three, be realistic. This is the biggest area that will defeat and discourage us in goal setting. Goals must have some “common sense” attached to them if the goals are going to be met. The biggest New Year resolution our society makes each year is losing weight and getting in shape. Many like me who are middle aged wrongly set goals to get back that body we had when we were in our 20’s or 30’s. As football player Peyton Manning says in his funny commercials, unless you’re a major league football player, it probably is not going to happen….he adds, just buy bigger shirts.

Being realistic means striving to better your health and attain a weight that makes you feel comfortable. Trust me I will never get the 28 inch waist I had 30 years ago when I got out of the U.S. Navy.

Four, allow room for failure. I have spoken to some highly successful people in my days and all of them say the same thing, make room for failure. Every person that has entered public service has most likely lost a few elections before winning. I know this feeling way too well. Before getting elected this past November I had to feel the pain of losing twice in Enfield.

Failure is simply evidence that you are endeavoring to accomplish something. People, who never try something, will never feel the pain of failure, but they will also never experience the joy of success. I admire so many of our local leaders, both Republican and Democrat. Every one of them could tell stories of defeat and victory. But, I am sure they have no regrets for attempting to make a difference in the world they live in.
Five, find a support system that aids in you achieving your goals. If it is getting in better physical shape in the new year, then maybe partner with people who have the same goal. I have always found that goal setting requires accountability. If you have a major adjustment you want to make in your life, find someone that can become a “personal coach” to keep you on track.

If it is financial success you want, then talk to a credible financial counselor. Want to learn a language, then take a class offered in our Adult Education Program. Want to get in shape, then a personal trainer may be your best bet.

I know people who want to read more, but find their reading agenda for the year fades away in just a few months. Then join a book club.
You get the idea. Goals need attachment to accountability if they are going to succeed. So set your goals for 2008, create a plan, and seek partnerships with others striving for the same goals.

Happy New Year from all of us in the Stokes Family……

THE DREAM

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and
live out the true meaning of its creed --- "We hold these these
truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the
sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be
able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a
desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice and
oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and
justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day
live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of
their skin but by the content of their character”.

You most likely recognize these words from Martin Luther Kings Jr. famous “I have a dream” speech spoken on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. It has become one of the most inspiring declarations given in our nations history.

As a boy growing up in the Detroit area I can remember the impact this speech had on the community I lived in during the decade of racial tension. I can remember the race riots in the late 60’s with the fire’s raging in downtown Detroit.

I remember the day that Dr. King was murdered and the stress it brought to the neighborhoods I lived in outside Detroit. I can remember the words of my teachers as they tried their best to explain what was taking place throughout our country.

The 1960’s will always be, in my mind, the decade that taught my generation the hard lessons of race relations and how hatred for others can destroy a society.

Well, here we are in the 21st century and we are seeing racial hatred raise its ugly head again. Recently, we have seen news reports of hangman ropes being left on the doors of African Americans. Connecticut, as the news reported this morning, is being tagged with the bulk of these acts of hatred. It breaks my heart to think that we as a society still have not learned the important lesson that “all men are created equal”.

It is a true shame that we still judge others by the color of their skin and not the content of their character. It is even sadder to think that a society that has seen the results of racial bigotry has not learned that hatred allowed to continue will lead to the next generation reliving the past.

So, how can we stop this from infecting the kids of tomorrow? How do we teach our children that we are not to judge others based on their color?

One, begin early in our children’s lives to teach that all people are a divine creation by God. Every child born into this world is a gift from God not only to their parents, but to society as a whole.

Second, never lower our conversation and allow talk of prejudice and bigotry. Some think that racial jokes are innocent and just part of our culture. But in reality racial humor is just the opposite. It is not funny and proves the lack of intellect in the person sharing the joke.

Third, teach respect for all. Teach that one of the strengths of America is its diversity. As we look around our schools, our places of worship and even our local shopping Mall we witness the greatness of our nation with a diverse ethnic mix.

The scriptures tell us to “love our neighbor as we love ourselves.” Gods’ divine word has no exclusion clause for those who do not look like us. May racial hatred one day be removed from our thoughts and emotions. May we pass on to the next generation a true love for all