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'An honor and a privilege'
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Published: October 5, 2009
Tomorrow is an important day in the life of the city - it's Election Day. That's the day when the citizens choose the group of representatives who will represent their points of view and act on their behalf as Statesville mayor and city council.
While no elected official acts completely in accordance with the voters' wishes, he or she represents the philosophy and values of the people who voted for them. In this age of political activism, it's hard for me to understand how only 9 percent of the city's voters find it important enough to vote for the leaders who represent the government closest to them. These are the people you can stop in the grocery store, catch at church or meet with personally on a daily basis. They should be the elected officials voters feel most comfortable in supporting. But it doesn't work that way.
I have profound respect for citizens who run for and are elected to public office. Their lives become a fishbowl, and they become lightning rods for issues that flare up in the community. The moment they take the stage in their first candidate debate, they realize their positions and comments are carefully scrutinized and their friends and co-workers become backseat quarterbacks.
Often council members don't realize until after the election that they have signed up for a part-time job that requires frequent homework assignments and countless hours in meetings or working with their constituents on the city's behalf. After attending the Institute of Government's School for New Council Members, they realize there's a statutory framework that governs their powers and actions as elected officials. The learning curve for a new council member is 90 degrees.
I respect people who are willing to take on this responsibility, and in this age of political cynicism, I think you'd be surprised at the degree to which council members frame their positions around the concerns for the welfare of the citizens. One of the most common comments I have heard over the years is "I don't think this is a policy that the people would accept."
On a daily basis, the mayor and council members contact the staff, starting off the conversation by stating "I just got a call from a constituent" or "I have a neighbor in my living room and they have an issue we need to address." They receive dozens of calls throughout the week regarding issues that are on the agenda. My point is that whether you like or dislike the positions of particular council members, you have to respect the time and effort they give to the office itself.
One of the biggest differences between public and private life is that once you enter public life, people begin to recognize you from the cable broadcast of the meetings, pictures in the paper and community events where you represent the city. All of a sudden, statements you make at city clubs, Sunday school or in council committee meetings become conversation in the community. Your spouse and children come home and ask "Did you really say what my friend told me you said at last night's meeting?" People call you and offer their opinions on your actions in such vehement terms that St. Paul will remind them of their language when they reach the Pearly Gates.
Being a public official is an honor and privilege. It's also complicated, difficult and, at times, exasperating. When you take the time to vote, you're expressing your appreciation to the people who are willing to donate a tremendous amount of time and energy to representing you. They try very hard to do what's right for the City of Statesville. Sometimes they even wonder, as I do, why more people don't understand the importance of casting a simple ballot for their election.
Rob Hites is Statesville's city manager.
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