President’s Report

Wow! School has started and the hints of fall are starting to be seen and heard. For those of us in municipal government, that means finalizing the 2018 budget. The high school football, volleyball, cross-country teams and bands began practicing a few weeks ago to begin to work on their skills and find that right chemistry to be able to compete for their upcoming season.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to listen to a presentation that continues to resonate with me yet today. Duringthepresentation,thefollowingquestionwasasked: “Which school employee would you say influences a student’s ability to learn the most?” The speaker argued that the answer is; the bus driver. Are you surprised? The speaker went on to say that if the child is met in the morning with a grumpy “sit down and be quiet” , what do you think that child is thinking about all day? Most definitelynotabouttheirschoolwork,butrather,aboutnot wanting to get back on that bus at the end of the day.

Thepointofthestorywastoillustratethatwhenyouwork as a team each individual person plays a vital role to thesuccess, nomatterhow large or small of role one might have. Sometimes it is more of the “little things” that make the largest impact. As you consider your role in your city, have you stopped to think about what impact you are making. You may not have had the most grand idea or suggestion where you would consider yourselfvaluable. Butthepointis,justasanysportsteam, do your part well and when combined with the work of others,thecitieschanceatcontinuingtobeaplaceyoucall “home” will be better.

I am looking forward to seeing you in Sioux Falls for the SDMLAnnual Conference October 3-6, 2017.

Respectfully,

MikeWendland, Mayor of Baltic President

PS:To register for theAnnual Conference you can contact the SDMLoffice at 605-224-8654 or visit their website at www.sdmunicipalleague.org