New era: Mix of old and new could move county forward with vision, passion

There are changes coming.

A new county manager.

A new Development Alliance president.

And a new school board member and a new commissioner.

All suggest that there could be a new era in the making -- and that there will be new ideas coming down the pike.

And this might not be the end, either.

There are even more longtime leaders who are facing decisions about retirement -- and the possibility that even more personnel might change come the next election.

In some ways it seems like a bit of a fresh start -- a chance to see what a new perspective might bring.

Change is sometimes good. New people bring new ideas -- sometimes they are good, and sometimes they need a little work.

But as the county welcomes its new leaders, perhaps this is a chance to try something else, too -- a summit of sorts.

New ideas are great, but discussion with those who have been there done that, and who can combine experience with innovation can offer something to those who will begin the next generation of leadership in this community.

Why not ask former leaders, local businesspeople and newcomers to a special meeting to discuss some of the key topics that face this community?

Why not ask those people about the schools, about taxes and about the next steps for the future?

Why not look at past decisions, current considerations and possibilities?

Why not set aside politics and rancor and simply explore the possibility that perhaps there are good ideas on both sides?

It seems a little utopic -- there is no question, it is a novel idea.

But isn't that exactly what we are asking to see at the national level? Leaders who are willing to work together to do what is best for the nation, to set aside politics long enough to listen to each other and to perhaps find common ground?

Could this be our chance to create a mini-lab for just such a philosophy in a local government?

It is clear that this county might very well be headed for a new direction -- and that many of the people we have counted on for decades are ready to move on with their lives. We are seeing new people coming on board to be part of the next wave of leadership -- and that is a good sign for this community and its future. We need that mix of old and new to move forward with vision and passion.

We owe all those who have served a debt of gratitude for the time and energy they have invested in this community -- and we would do well to ask for their input and thoughts before we say goodbye.

How nice it would be to see this next era start with open, honest communication and more than a few people willing to contribute toward Wayne County's success rather than sitting back waiting to critique its future.

Perhaps this new round of leaders will be more than ready to take up that flag.

Published in Editorials on June 16, 2014 10:39 AM