“If you really want to determine someone’s leadership prowess, give them some responsibility and see what they do with it. Leaders produce results.”
Mike Myatt
There’s a not-so-subtle abdication of responsibility from council to the borough manager, (staff), in local government.
We have a leadership problem in Pottstown.
Elected officials have not been able to identify management leaders and they haven’t sought experienced, successful leaders. Offical’s justifications and rationalizations no longer suffice in the face of rising violent crime and the radical, comprehensive failure of this poor community to survive let alone revive.
We continue to see expenditures for “non-essentials” at the top level of local government. We see waste and inefficiency. We see far too little transparency. We can’t explain why local government can’t or won’t answer our questions knowledgeably and honestly. We’re tired of being lied to.
The failure of government leaders is evidenced in every nook and cranny of Pottstown.
“A leader’s job is to align the organization around a clear and achievable vision. This cannot occur when the blind lead the blind.” Mike Myatt
Residents of Pottstown are increasingly disheartened and outspoken about their mistrust of a local government that creates chaos and confusion in opposition to a vision for revitalization. We’re uniting with one another and we’re moving forward.
If you are on Facebook “Like” Pottstown Government Watchdogs.
Your thoughts, ideas and contributions to this blog are valued. Please let me know if you’d like a guest spot!
Katy Jackson ptownadvocates@hotmail.com
Welcome:
Guest Writer, Dave Garner…
I preface my substantive remarks by stating that I am willing to discuss any of the items covered in this article with anyone. Preferred method is face to face but I will respond to email dggarner1@comcast.net or telephone 484-945-0777 communications.
Apart from my time in the military and the five years following my discharge I have lived in Pottstown my entire life. Over the course of those fifty years I have enjoyed the people, organizations and physical aspects of the community. The passing of time has brought challenges for the Borough with the loss of several significant industries and the shift of businesses from the downtown to strip malls in the adjacent municipalities. Nevertheless the town remains a place I proudly call my home.
With that said, I have great concern for the future of our community. Primarily because we have no vision as to what we want to be. Accordingly we have no objectives or tasks to work on. Residents and organizations are not engaged by the Borough leadership which routinely cedes its decision-making responsibilities to staff and resists dialogue with the community. As a result, Pottstown misses out on opportunities to attract businesses, to develop a more productive citizenry and to improve the functionality of the town. Unfortunately, the elected officials and staff seem quite satisfied with this “planned dysfunctionality.”
I suppose one of the reasons they are pleased with the status quo is the fact that many noteworthy events, activities, organizations, business and individuals belie the void in planning and leadership by the governmental sector. Schuylkill River Heritage Area, Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, First Saturdays, Steel River Playhouse, Rotary Club, ArtFusion, YWCA, VideoRay, Volleyball Rumble, the BMX track and the Sly Fox operations to name only a few are helping to make Pottstown a good place to live and work.
It has taken years for Pottstown to “arrive” where we are. There is no quick fix or magic formula to improve the situation overnight. It is my assertion that first a process needs to be adopted for developing a community vision. Broad participation by the “stakeholders” is important to insure that the result reflects the will of the community and is something that everyone will support. The process must also produce specific goals and objectives with tasks and responsible parties identified. A realistic timeline will establish parameters by which “progress” can be measured. Active engagement of the residents, organizations, businesses and government in developing and working the “plan” is essential and will provide the greatest likelihood for a positive outcome.
Having a plan is critical because it is something specific that can be publicized and promoted. It can guide us to partners and funding to address the tasks and accomplish the goals. In addition to the government, businesses and organizations will have clear guidance to assist them in their planning and operational decision-making. The implementation of the plan will be a catalyst for change internally and provide a marketing tool to attract new residents and businesses to Pottstown.
Developing a vision and a plan are not quickly or easily accomplished. Stakeholders be must committed to an agreed process and stay with it until they have completed the work. Parties must be willing to let go of selfish agendas in order to focus on the best outcomes for the community. We cannot become bogged down in the past lamenting what we are not. We must identify what we want to be and determine the best way to get there, building off of the assets and resources that we have and can obtain. Pottstown has many wonderful people, events, organizations, features, businesses, and buildings. But we are certainly not where we need to be. Let’s be honest in evaluating our circumstances. Let’s be visionary in charting out where we want to go. Let’s diligently pursue the work that is before us and commit to the “heavy lifting” that will surely be required because…
We Can Do Better!
