President’s Report

I want to start out this month by reminding you that we are an organization that unites to get state laws passed that advance local control. We all know our citizens and each area has their own way of doing things. When the founding fathers of our country got together to write the Declaration of Independence they were trying to convey how government is supposed to work and the principles necessary to remain free and moral. Whatever rights or power we have come from us, the people. We try to write ordinances that will be fair to all the citizens of our community. Listening and getting input is crucial in this process. I think we need to listen, and it is easier to listen if you know the person speaking and can open your mind to their viewpoint. That does not mean you have to agree with it, but at least you know why they think the way they think and you can use this valuable information in governing for all of your citizens. (Although I concede that there are times when the town nut can’t stop repeating the same complaint and won’t listen to your decision.)

Local government is an integral part of this state and we need to know and visit the state legislators from each of our areas so that they can understand the problems we face. I encourage each Mayors’ Group, Finance Officers’ group, and civic organization to invite the legislators from your area to your meetings so they can hear what the challenges are in each of the Communities they represent. As I said it is easier to listen if they know you as we know our citizens. A lot of good ideas can be taken from the “radical nut” (each community has them) if we listen to what they are really saying (sometimes not eloquently). Remember if it matters to someone, it matters! Open your ears and listen! (Not like I do sometimes, I hear, but it doesn’t sink in for a couple of days).

All the power of each elected official comes from we, the people, so we must listen and convey these thoughts to our elected officials at the State level, the laws and freedoms that govern us come from them. A few months ago this idea to communicate more with these law makers came up at the Black Hills Mayors’ meeting. I think it is a very good idea and request that each community be proactive in connecting with their area state legislators. Any good public servant knows how to listen and I want you to be heard, as you yourself listen to your citizens and hear them.

There’s the key for your key chain I was looking for “LISTEN.”

Respectfully, Meri Jo Anderson President