Essayson

TheValueof
PublicService

DistributedbytheAllianceforInnovation
Icanassureyou,publicserviceisastimulating,proudandlivelyenterprise.Itisnotjustawayoflife,
itisawaytolivefully.LeeH.Hamilton

EssaysonTheValueofPublicService
TableofContents

Pages

TheValueofPublicService

RandallReid

25

ThesearetheDays

KatySimon

ThePowerofPublicService

JanetandBobDenhardt

78

InServicetoPublicServants

TracyMiller

910

HonoringPublicEmployees

JackSchluckebier

1112

TheValueofPublicServiceandWhy

TerrenceMoore

1314

TheLastFrontier

JamesN.Holgersson

1516

CultivatingCommunities

DarinAtteberry

1718

AllintheFamily

CherylHilvert

1920

AViewfromtheFounders

JacksonC.Tuttle

2122

2324

PursuitforProfessionalPublicManagementin2012

ClayPearson

TheAllianceforInnovationisconductinganessayprojectontheValueofPublicService.Thisisaworkinprogresswhich
beganwiththeinspiringarticlewrittenbyRandyReid,FormerlyCountyManagerinAlachuaCounty,FLcurrentlyCounty
Administrator,SarasotaCounty,FLontheValueofPublicService.Wehopeyouwillbeinspiredtoshareyourthoughts
onwhypublicservicematter.Pleasesubmityouressaytocontent@transformgov.org.

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TheValueofPublicService
ByRandallReid,CountyManager,AlachuaCounty,FL
Wefindourselvestodayaspublicsectorleadersworkinginaneraofdynamicglobaleconomics,stormypolitical
discourseandfacingyetanothercrisisinconfidenceinourpublicinstitutions.Memoriesof911sacrificesofpublic
servantshavefadedaswedebatethecausesofournationalafflictions,diminishedfinancialsecurityandfacethe
currentrhetoricfrequentlycondemningthepublicsector.Thatsaid,Icontinuetofeelanundiminishedprideinworking
asaprofessionalinlocalgovernment.Iknowmyjurisdiction,liketheonesmanyofyouworkfor,haveabrighter
economicfutureandarekinderandgentlerplacesbecauseofthepersonalinvestmentandlaborofpublicemployees.
Myjurisdiction,perhapslikeyours,isblessedwithinnovative,dedicatedandcreativepublicemployeesandour
communityisrecognizedbytheinnovationinourprogramsandexcellenceofourpublicacademicandhealthcare
institutions.Thankstotheactionsofourcitizensthrupublicprograms,thenaturalbeautyofourcountrysideremains
intactandprotectedandoureconomyisrebounding.Thecollaborationandworkofmanypeoplemakesthese
communityachievementspossible:peopleinboththeprivateandpublicsectors.Itisfollytothinkthatonlytheprivate
sectorstrivesforobtainmentofexcellenceorcausesourcommunitiestoachieveit.Theroleofpublicemployeesand
thevalueofpublicserviceisvitaltoourrepublicandthesuccessofourcommunities.
PublicsectoremployeesarenotthenonproducersofthecurrentlypopularAynRandsAtlasShruggedworldview.
Thepublicsectorservesathreefoldvitalroleastheproviderofpublicgoods,guardiansofthecommonsandpromoters
aciviclifeessentialtoourcommunities.Privatesectororganizationswhileeffectivecommunitypartners,canbetrusted
todesiretodosoonlytotheextenttheycancommercializeitforprofitorcreatepositivebrandingthroughtheir
actions.
EarlyinmycareerasamanagerIwasinfluencedbyabook,ReinventingGovernment,notwithjusttheexamplesof
changeoriented,transformationalmanagementIhadlearnedundermyfirstbossandcoauthor,TedGaebler,butmost
ofallbyfiveprinciplesoutlinedintheprefaceofthebook.Thisbook,criticalofgovernmentbureaucracies,statedthat
first,aspractitioners,wemuststrivetopreserveinthiseraourfundamentalbeliefindemocraticgovernment.Secondly,
wemustbelievethatacivilizedsocietycannotfunctioneffectivelywithouteffectivegovernmentandwemakethat
effectivenessarealityeachdaytothedegreewecanattainit.Thirdly,wemustbelievethatthosededicatedemployees
aroundusworkingingovernmentarenottheproblemasmuchasthebureaucraticsystemsinwhichwearetothisday
forcedtoworkinthataretheprincipleproblemwithgovernment.Fourthly,wemustbelievethatneithertraditional
liberalismnorconservatismhasmuchrelevancetotheproblemsthatourgovernmentsfacetodayandthereexistsa
needforpragmaticandnonideologicalsolutions.Finallywemustcommittoprovideequalopportunityforallofour
citizenstoprosperandreachtheirpotential.Thesethoughtscontinuetoservemenowinthistimeofpubliccriticismof
localgovernmentandcontinuetomotivatemethroughperiodsoffrustrationinmypublicservice.
Responsetopublicsectorcriticsmustbeviewedasateachablemomentandatimeforciviceducation.Inourcomments
andspeeches,weneedtorecognizewithhumilityourorganizationalshortcomingsandexplainthoseessential
inefficiencieswithinpublicprocessesthatrepresenttheconflictingyetimportantvaluesweadheretoasademocracy.
Mostimportantlywemustboldlyandunabashedlydefendthepublicsectorsroleindefendingthecommonsandthe
competencyandvalueofthoseindividualsemployedorcalledtopublicservice.Isuggestthatpublicemployees,
whetherasaCommissionersittingatthedaisoramemberofaroadconstructioncrew,devotetheirlivestomaking
localplacesbetterplacesforallourcitizens.Theyarenotnameless,facelessbureaucratslivinginfarawayplaces.They
areyourneighbors,andyourfriends.Theysitnexttoyouinyourplaceofworship.Theyhavefamilies.Theypaytaxes.
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Theyarethecustomersinyourbusinessesandthevolunteersinyourfavoriteorganizations.Theyarefellowcitizensof
ourcommunityanditistheirhonorandpassiontoserveyou.Theydonotgrowrichindoingso,asanarrowing
minoritycontinuestodointheprivatesector,buttheyserveyouwellanddeserveyourrespect.
Inmyexperience,ourpublicsectorpeersstartoffeachmorningwithatotallydifferentsetoffundamentalquestionsin
theirmindsthanourprivatesectorcounterpartsincommunitylife,whomustmeasuretheirprofitmarginsand
commercialviability.Manyofourpublicemployeesstarteverydaywiththewellbeingoftheentirecommunityinmind
andspecificissuesessentialtocommunityprosperityandhealththeymustgrapple.SometimestheseseemlikeDon
Quixoteassaultsonsocietysbrokeninstitutions.Theyaskimportantquestionsanddevelopstrategiestosolve
increasinglycomplexcommunityproblems.Questionsconsideredbytheprivatesectoraretangentialorseekanexusto
communityproblemsonlyiftheycancommercializetheopportunity,profitoffthecommonsorassisttheircorporate
brandingbyassociationtocommunitybuildingefforts.Corporateloyaltytoaspecificplaceisadyingvalueintodays
globalorabsenteebusinessesownership.
Publicemployeesaskhumanequestionssuchasifanyoneisgoinghungrytoday?Arecitizensindangerbecauseof
temperatureextremes?Howcanwehelpkeepcitizenshealthy?Issomeoneindespairbecauseofillnessbutunableto
affordtreatment?Isaveteranfeelinglostandisolated?Doesavictimofviolentcrimeneedassistance?Cananon
profitorganizationhelptendtothoseinneed?Didapersonsracepreventthemfromrentingahome?
Publicemployeesplanforabetterfuturefortheircommunities.Theyplanforthebenefitsoftheircitizensand
preservationofhistoricalplaceswhilebalancingtheimpactofnewdevelopment.Weaskwhatourcommunitieswill
looklikeinfiftyyears.Arewebuildingsafestructures?Canwegrowinawaythatcreatesasustainablefuture?What
willtransportationlooklikeasgasolinecostsincrease?Canweuseenergymorewisely?Willtherebefarmshereinthe
futureoronlyhouses?Willfuturegenerationshaveaccesstoourbeautifulwildspaces?
Publicemployeesaskifpreciousnaturalsystemsandourenvironmentthatundergirdsourcommunitiesaresafe.Are
ourwatersuppliesandairqualityhealthy?Arewesafefromexposuretodangeroustoxins?Howdowedisposeof
dangerouschemicals?Howcanweassistparentspreventchildhoodobesity?
Publicemployeesaskquestionsoutofconcernforourcitizensqualityoflifeandpublicsafety.Thisqualityoflifefocus
isaclearresponsibilityofthepublicrealmandmakesforsustainableandresilientbusinessesandneighborhoods.How
canweimproveourtransportationinfrastructure?Howcanwepayforaparkorfirestation?Howcanweencourage
businessretention?Canwerecyclemoreandlimitnonrenewableresourceuse?Howdowebestrespondtothe
devastationofafire,ahurricane,amedicalemergency?Howdowemakeourneighborhoodssafe?Aretheresafe
alternativestojailandlongtermincarceration?
Publicemployeesaskifwehaveresponsiblyenhancedourdemocraticidealsandsufficientlygatheredcitizenconcerns
onimportantissues.Havewemadeourgovernmentmoreaccessibletoallpeople?Havewerespondedtocitizen
questionsinahelpfulandtimelyway?Areweprovidingciviceducationopportunitiesandforumsforcivic
conversations,aswellasformalpublichearingsandprocesses?Doweproperlyengagecitizensinproblemsolvingor
havewemadethemonlyconsumersofourservices?
Asethicalpublicmanagersandemployeesweneedtolistentoourcriticscloselyandrespectfullyascitizensand
concentrateonfiscalaccountability,effectivegovernanceandoutstandingperformanceateachofourpublictasksand
responsibilities.Wemust,however,neverdismissthefactthatwhatwedoaspublicemployeesisessentialtothe
functioningofourcommunitiesandthewelfareofourcitizenry.Ifweworkhard,treatourelectedofficials,peersand
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ourcitizenswithrespectandcivility,wecanansweranyquestionandrespondtoanychallengeourcommunitiesface.
Wecanbringhonorbacktopublicserviceandattractanewgenerationtopublicservice.

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ThesearetheDays
KatySimon,CountyManager,WashoeCounty,NV
Theystartlikeanyotherdaythosedayswhenyouarereminded,sometimespainfully,ofwhyyouhavegivenyourlife
topublicservice.
Itmaybeaplanecrashthatcallsuponeveryfirstresponderresourceyouhaveformiles,ortheteamresponsetoa
mentallyunstablegunmantakinginnocentpeoplehostage,oranadoptionceremonyinwhichagroupofsiblingsthat
havebeenabusedbytheirmethaddictedparentshavefinallyfoundapermanent,lovinghomeThesearethedaysthat
makeusproud.Theyarethedayswhenallthetraining,allthedifficultresourcedecisions,allthecriticisms,andallthe
frustrationsofconflictingpoliciesandideologiessomehowconvergetoliftyouupandfocusyourattentiononwhatit
meanstobeinpublicserviceinAmericatoday.
Therearetoomanydaysnowwhenwehavetohavethepainfulconversationsthatresponsibleleaderscannotturn
awayfromImsorry,butwearegoingtohavetoeliminateyourposition.Wejustcantgetthefundingtogether.I
knowyouvebeenanoutstandingresourcetoourorganizationfor(fillinthenumber5?10?15?20?)years,andwe
aredeeplygratefulforyourservice,butwejustdonthavethebudgettokeepyouon.Andtherearethedayswhen
frustratedcitizens,someofwhomhaventhadworkinmanymonths,takeouttheirangerontheirlocalgovernment
leadersYouvegottodomore!Peopleneedjobs,andneedtheirdignityrestored!HowwouldyouknowyouHAVEa
jobandapensionthatIPAYFOR!!Orthedayswhenneighborhoodsandadvocacygroupsfightformoreofthebudget
piefortheirpriorityattheexpenseofothersYoucantcuttheSeniorBingogroup!Itstheonlythingthatour
respectedeldershavetolookforwardtoduringtheweek!Cutthe(fillintheblank)programfirst,orwhileyouareatit,
whydontyoureducethewagesofyouremployees!Weheartheyarepaidmuchmorethanprivatesectorfolkswho
aredoingthesamejob!!
Wedontbegrudgeanyonewhofindstheseeminglyendlessassaultsonpublicservicetobemorethantheycanbear,
andleavesourprofessionalfamily.Itsunderstandable.Butwecelebratethosewhostay,becausewhatwedoisnoble
workworkwithdignityworkwithintegrity.WhatwedorequiresthatwerememberthatSERVINGOTHERS,and
puttingtheirneedsaboveourown,isalwaysJobOne.Whetherthatmeanspatientlyhelpingaseniorcitizen
understandthelimitstohowwecanhelpthemwithproblemswiththeirmortgageortheirSocialSecuritypayments,or
whetheritmeansfillingsandbagsduringaflood,ortakingfoodtothefirefightersonthelineinawildfire,orinsuring
thatneighborsaretrainedandmadeawareofhowtheycanhelpeachotherinanemergencyuntilwecangetthere,our
dutyistoliftotherpeopleup,toempowerthemtobeanddoanddreamwhatevertheyarecapableof.
Whatotherjobcanonenamethatprovidesthechancetoimpactthousandsofpeopleslivesforthegoodonadaily
basis?Whatelsecouldonedothatwouldputtothetest,everyday,onescommitmenttothevaluesofhonestyand
respectandfairnessandtoleranceandinnovationandcompassion?Onlyinpublicservicedowegettoshowup
everysingleday,challengedtobeourbestforotherpeopleineverysingledecision,everysingleaction,everysingle
hour.
Iamonlyone,butIamone.Icannotdoeverything,butIcandosomething,andIwillnotfailtodothesomethingthat
Icando.HelenKeller
Todayandeveryday,letscelebratethepeoplewhoserve.Wecannotdoeverything,butwecandosomething,andwe
willnotfailtodothesomethingthatwecando.
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ThePowerofPublicService
ByJanetandBobDenhardt,Professors,ArizonaStateUniversity
Thoughitsbeentenyears,werememberwellthetragiceventsofSeptember11,2001.Aswelookbackonthatday,
werecognizethatweinitiallywentthroughaperiodofdisbelief,unabletoprocessandacceptwhatwewereseeing
overandoveronthetelevisionscreen.Thesceneswerebafflingatfirstandthoughwefoundourselveswatchingthem
repeatedly,wedidntreallycomprehendwhatwashappening.Laterintheday,thetragedybegantobecomemore
personalnamesandfacesbegantoreplacethesurrealimagesthatseemedalmostimpossibleintheirhorror.Asthat
happened,griefandsorrowforthepeoplewhoseliveswereendedinafuryofviolenceandhatredbegantowellup
inside.Wecried.
Asthesescenesbecamemorepersonaltous,wealsobegantothinkaboutthemanywhoreachedouttotheirfellow
citizens,especiallythethousandsofpublicservantswhowalkedandrantowardtheunimaginabletohelp.Amost
enduringimageforusisthestorytoldbyseveralofthosestrugglingdownthestairsoftheWorldTradeCenterto
escapedeath.Asweweretryingtogetdown,wemetpoliceofficersandfirefightersgoingupandweclappedand
cheered.Nowweknowthatthosesamebravesoulsalmostsurelyperishedinthecollapseofthebuilding.
Ashardasitistounderstandplanesflyingintobuildings,itsalsohardtounderstandthemotivesofthesecourageous
menandwomen,wholiterallywalkedthroughfiretotrytosaveandprotectthelivesofothers.Someofthemdied.
Somewerebadlyhurt.Eventhosewhowerenotphysicallydamagedwereinjuredinwaythatisfundamentally
differentfromtheinjuriessufferedbythoseofuswhowatchedfromthesafedistanceofatelevisionnewscast.
Althoughmanyofuswouldliketothinkthattheiruniformsandtrainingsomehowprotectedthemfromtheallthe
terror,pain,andhorrorthatwewouldfeel,itdidnot.Itpreparedthem,butitdidntshieldthem.
Intheend,theyarehumanjustlikeus.Whiletheiruniformsandequipmentmaypartiallyobscuretheirindividuality,
eachofthemhasanameandastory.Eachhasfamilies,friends,dreams,fears.Theyloveandlaugh,workandplay,talk
andwalkjustlikeus.Theyareeverybitasvulnerableasweare.
Yet,onSeptember11,thesepeopleshowedAmerica,onceagain,thattheystandapart.Whatmakesthemdifferentis
theirquiet,oftenanonymousheroism.Theyarepublicservants.Theyservetheirfellowcitizensinawaythatmany
peoplewouldfindverydifficultifnotimpossibletounderstand.Howcouldtheybesocourageous?Soselfless?How
canweunderstandtheirheroism?Theanswertothesequestionsgoestotheverysoulofthepublicservice.Yes,itwas
theirjob.Yes,theyweretrained.Yes,theywerewellequippedphysicallyandmentallyforthetaskstheyhadto
perform.Butthatdoesnotdiminishthenobility,thehonor,orthesacrificeoftheiractions.Norshoulditdetractfrom
ourgratitudeandourrespect.
Inapeculiarway,thisghastlyactofterrorismremindsusofwhyweareinthepublicservice.Wecareaboutour
country,ourcommunity,andourneighbors.Eachofus,whetherwewearauniform,asuit,ajacket,coveralls,orahard
hat,playsaroleinimprovingthelivesofothers,.Servicetothepublichelpingpeopleintrouble,makingtheworld
saferandcleaner,helpingchildrenlearnandprosper,literallygoingwhereotherswouldnotgoisourjobandour
calling.
Theimageofpoliceofficersandfirefightersgoingupthosestairsiscompelling.Butevenmorecompellingisthelarger
andmorepervasivepowerofpublicservice.Thoseinlawenforcement,intransportation,inhealthcare,andindozens
ofotherfieldsatthefederal,state,andlocallevelhavemadeuntoldsacrificesoverthemonthsandyearsfollowing
September11inordertorespondtotheseeventsandtomakethisworldabetterplaceforourcitizens.Thisabilityto
beselfless,tobeopentotheneedsandvaluesandwantsofothers,isapartofeachpublicservant.Anditsapartof
whowearethatshouldntrequireeffort,oreventragedyforustorecognizeoracknowledge.Weneednotwaitfor
sucheventstoawakenoursenseofhumanityandrespect.Astheseeventshaveonceagainshown,servicetothepublic
isindeedaproudandnobleprofession.
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(TheoriginalversionofthiscommentarywaspublishedinSeptemberof2001bytheAmericanSocietyforPublic
Administration.)

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InServicetoPublicServants
ByTracyMiller,FloridaRegionalDirector,AllianceforInnovation
Smart,compassionate,loyal,ethical,committed.ThesearetheadjectivesIusetodescribethelocal
governmentprofessionalsIhavecometoknow.ForthelasteighteenyearsIhavehadthehonortoserve
theseoutstandingpublicservantsasaresourceandfriendwhiletheyfacethechallengesofleadingour
communitiesinbothgoodtimesandbadtimes.
InourroleattheAllianceforInnovation,a501(c)(3)nonprofitorganizationservinglocalgovernment
organizations,weassistwiththedevelopmentofinnovativesolutionstoproblemsfacinglocal
communities.Butintruth,weareonlyonthefringeofprogresswhiletherealworkofcommunity
advancementisdonefrominsidethetrenches.
Todayslocalgovernmentprofessionalsareastuteatsolvingproblemsandtheyseemanyeachday.Fromthe
complexlongtermfundingissuestotheemergencycrisisofthemoment,theseprofessionalsaresteadfastin
doingwhatneedstobedonetoprotectandservetheircommunities.
Youdonothavetowonderasacitizenifyouwillhavecleanwatertoyourhome,orstreetlightsthatoperate,
oranambulancewhenyoudial911.Thesehavebecomegivensinourlivesanditislargelyduetothe
stewardsofourpublicdollarswhobalancetheneedsofthepeopletheyserve.
WhatIfindparticularlyfrustratingiswearelivinginapoliticalclimatethatoftentimescreatesblockadesin
ourabilitytoacknowledgetheworkthesepublicservantsdo.Thereisanairofdistrustandinsomecases
genuinedisgustfortheworkoflocalgovernmentprofessionals.AndwhileIsympathizewiththepositionof
citizenswhohavebeendisenchantedwithgovernmenteitherrightfullyorwrongfully,whatIcannearly
guaranteeistheyarenotcompletelyawareoftheenvironmentthatallowsthemtotakeforgrantedthe
benefitstheyenjoybecauseofgovernment,whiletheyrantagainstit.
Balancingtheneedsofthemanyisacomplextask,andeventhemostastutepublicservantsmake
mistakes.Butmoreoftenthannot,theseindividualsstandbytheirdutytodotheirabsolutebestforalland
dotheirjobinmakingdifficultchoicesthatfrequentlywillnotpleaseeveryone.Forthosethatworkatthe
locallevel,theyhaveanespeciallydelicateconnectiontothosetheyserve.Seeingthepeoplewhoboth
benefitortakeissuewithyourdecisionsatthegrocerystoreorintheneighborhoodparkcreatesamore
intimateandvulnerablerelationship.
WhatIbelieveiswhenyougettoknowtodayslocalpublicservantsleadersyouwillfindtheyareadifferent
breedofprofessional.Thesearepeoplenotinterestedinbecomingrich,butmakinganhonorablewage
whiletheyaredoingameaningfuljob.Itprovidesanopportunityforthemtosupporttheirfamilieswhile
doingworkthatmakesadifference.
Ourpublicservantsareascapableandintelligentastheircounterpartsintheprivatesector,buthowtheyare
uniqueistheirwillingnesstoforegopersonalgaininlightofmakingtheworldabetterplace.Theyseekout
meaningoverprofit.ItmaysoundPollyannaish,butIassureyouthatthisdepictionisreality.
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Andinthecaseoftheleaderswithinlocalgovernment,inlargeparttheyaretheepitomeofethics,morality
andskill.Theleaderscanfinditdifficulttoservealocalelectedbodywhiletryingtobalancetheinterestsof
theiremployeesandthecommunityasawhole.
Forthelocalgovernmentmanagerthereisanethicalcodethatprecludespersonalpoliticsfromenteringtheir
decisionmakingprocess.Themanagerhastooperatewithoutpoliticalinfluenceintheirworkofcarryingout
thewilloftheelectedbodywhorepresentthepeople.Andinaneverchangingpoliticalenvironment,thisis
akintohittingabullseyeonamovingtargetwhileblindfolded.
Oftentimesthelocalgovernmentmanageristheeasytargetofblameforrealandsometimesmanifested
issuesthataretoocomplexthananyonepersoncanberesponsiblefor.Andwhenthoseissuesbecome
politicizedthesemanagersbecomethescapegoatbutstillacceptwhathashappenedtothemwithgraceand
honor.Theyleavetheirpostandhandthejobtothenextprofessionaltocomealong,allthewhiledoingtheir
verybestnottodismantletheintegrityoftheircommunity,theirstaffsandthemselves.
Iamtalkingaboutauniquebreedofpeople.Ableandwillingtosacrificethemselvesfortheidealstheyare
mostpassionateabout.Ableandwillingtomakesacrificesforthecommunitiestheyarecitizensofaswell.
Ifyouareapublicservant,especiallythoseatthelocallevelpleaseacceptmyheartfeltthankyoufordoing
oneofthemostdifficultjobsinamodernsociety.Yourworktoooftengoesunnoticed,andthisisachanceto
acknowledgeyourefforts.YouexhibitmanyofthequalitiesIadmireandrespectandyoudeservethe
appreciationofthosethatyouserve.
Whenyoumeetapersonwhoholdsapostasapublicservant,myhopeisyoucanshaketheirhandand
respecttheircommitmenttodotheirverybestforyou.Rememberourpublicservantsarehuman,theymake
mistakesbutwithonlyafewexceptionsyoucanbeassuredtheytakethejobseriouslyandaredoingtheir
verybesttocarryoutthebestinterestofall.Butmostimportantly,rememberthesepeopleareyour
neighbors.Theyhaveheartsthataregenuineandloyalandshouldbehonoredevenifyoudisagreewiththeir
decisions.
Andlastly,forthosepeoplewhomaybeconsideringajobasapublicservantIsaygoforit!Yourricheswill
notbemeasuredindollarsbutratherinyoursenseofprideandhonorfortheguaranteesyouareableto
providethepeopleyouserve.

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HonoringPublicEmployees
ByJackSchluckebier,GuestColumnist(FloridaToday)&CityManager,CityofMelbourne,FL
Dedicatedworkersprovideinvaluableservices
Asweapproachthe10thanniversaryofthe9/11tragedy,ourthoughtswillgotothoseinpublicservicewhogavetheir
livesthatday.
Italsoisworthpausingtoconsiderthecontributionsmadebythosewhoareinvolvedinourlocalpublicservices.Asone
withsubstantialexperienceinpublicadministrationandmanagement,Iwouldliketoofferaperspectiveonthetopic.
First,weshouldalwaysattempttoencourageandsupporttheindividualswhocompriseourpublicserviceworkforce.
Thoseinpublicsafetyareperhapsthemostrecognizable.
Othersrangefromteachersandhospitalworkerstothoseinparksandrecreation,instreetsandinutilities.Theyinclude
theindividualswhodocumenttherevenuesandexpenditures,whoinspectbuildingsandwhoundertakeplanningand
decisionmakingforpublicprograms.
Secondly,wecanrecognizethatpublicserviceisanhonorablecause.Itisrespectableemployment,providingessential
servicesandproducts.
Mostofthe800plusfulltimeemployeesatthecityofMelbournearecareerindividuals.Slightlymorethanhalfhave
alreadyservedthepublicformorethan20years.Thevastmajorityoftheirworkrequiresspecializedtrainingand
expertise,andtheymustbeavailable24/7.Thecommunityalsobenefitsfromtheeffortsofhundredsofvolunteersand
dozensofparttimeemployees.
Thirdly,unlikemostwork,publicserviceisundertakenwithinfullview.Itissubjecttoscrutinybyregulatoryagenciesof
thestateandfederalgovernmentsaswellasthecourts,alongwithotherreviewssuchasinternalevaluationsand
externalaudits.
Mostdecisionsandservicesaresubjecttothewishesofcitizens,reflectingtheiruniqueperspectivesasresidents,
propertyowners,parents,businessownersandtaxpayers.
Scrutinybythepressalsoisaconstant,asFloridaisthemosttransparentstateinthecountrywithrespectto
governmentmeetingsandrecordsthroughitsSunshineLaw.
Fourth,publicserviceemployeesmustdealwithsocialandfinancialcircumstancesthatseemtobechangingfasterthan
mostofuscaneasilycomprehend.Yet,publicservicestendtochangeslowly.
Theserealitiescanresultinconflict,andeventheeffortstoevolveservicescancreateunanticipatedproblems.All
citizenscanparticipateinthisprocessbyofferingsupportaswellasguidance.
Publicemployeesarehonorable,energetic,creativeanddedicated.Weshouldapplaudtheirserviceandtrytosupport
themwithcompetitivepayandbenefits,andrecognizeexemplaryservice.Thesearepeoplewhowillinglyservethe
publicdayinanddayout,sometimesthroughdifficultandchallengingcircumstances.
Asyouthinkaboutthe9/11tragedy,pleasealsoconsiderhowyouregardthoseinpublicservice,whetheritisthepublic
servantwholivesdowntheblock,thepersonnexttoyouinchurch,afamilymember,orsomeoneyouencounterwhen
youareoutandabout.
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Regardingthosepeoplewithkindnesshasnooutofpocketcosttoyou,andcanofferbenefitstothemthatare
priceless.
SchluckebieriscitymanagerofMelbourne.ThisarticlewasreprintedwithpermissionfromFloridaTodaynewspaper.

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TheValueofPublicServiceandWhy
ByTerrenceR.Moore,ICMACM,CityManager,Morgantown,WestVirginia
ThefamousquotebyAmericasthirtyfifthpresident,JohnF.Kennedy,Asknotwhatyourcountrycandoforyou,ask
whatyoucandoforyourcountrywellembodiesandsupportsinspirationforenteringpublicservice.Thedecisionsfor
thoseofuswhovedecidedtodedicateourlivestopublicservicehavemadecommitmentstothiseffectforanumberof
reasons.Forme,theinspirationtodosobeganasachildonChicagosSouthsideunfortunately,inasegregated,low
incomeneighborhoodthatexperiencedminimalcapitalimprovementsand/orinvestments.Suchwasreflectedin
brokensidewalkstraveled,prevalentgraffitiandurbandecayofbothresidentialneighborhoodsandcommercial
districts.Toaccompanythisenvironment,manyofusyoungpeoplewhowereraisedinthesesurroundingsexperienced
atremendouslackofencouragementtoreachbeyondthelimitsofourcircumstancessupportedbyvarioustenetsthat
wewerenotasworthyasotherindividualsfrommoreaffluentbackgrounds,andthereforewouldnotamounttomuch
morethanexistingconditionsandresultinglackofopportunitieswouldallow.
AsanelementaryschoolstudentatthetimethatIbegantoexperiencethisrealization,IwasntexactlysureastowhatI
coulddotohelpimprovethesituation.However,Iknewinstinctivelythatitwasntfairtobeaskedtocontinueto
supportsuchapredicament.Asamotivatedindividual,whoseonlyconfidencewassecuredbyperformingwellin
schoolacademically,aswellasviaextracurricularactivities,Isoondiscoveredoneofthemostvaluablecontributions
madeandofferedbythepublicsectorthepubliclibrary.Ipersonallydeemedpubliclibrariesastremendousassetsto
communitiesbecause,forthefirsttimeinmylife,Iwasabletotrulytranscendthestructurallyimposedlimitationsby
exposingmyselftogreaterlevelsofreadingandresearch,thereby,exposingmyselftotherestofAmericaandtheworld
viaencyclopedias,dictionaries,thesauruses,periodicalsandotherformsofliterature.Fromtheseexperiences,Iwas
abletolearnabouttherolemanygreatAmericansplayedinhelpingtoadvancepublicservicecontributionsin
cities.Thisengagement,coupledwiththeconditionsofmysurroundings(inspiredbytheneedforamoreequally
responsiveapproachtohelpimprovecommunities),eventuallycultivatedadesiretoenterpublicservice
professionally.
ItwasduringmyhighschoolyearsthatIbegantoembraceandlearnheavilyabouttheroleandfunctionofpublic
service.Notsimplyjustbasicknowledgeoflocal,stateandfederalgovernmentorganizationalandpoliticalstructure,
whichtypicallycomprisedthecurriculumofcivicandsocialstudiescoursesofferedbytheChicagoPublicSchoolSystem
atthetime.Iactuallybecameinspiredtolearnmoreabouttheinternalworkingsofdaytodayoperationsofwelllead
communitiesafterreadingalate1940sdirectivepublishedbytheInternationalCityManagersAssociation(ICMAthe
predecessornameofthecurrentInternationalCity/CountyManagementAssociation)duringmysenioryearthat
essentiallydefinedtherequisiteeducationalrequirementsforafuturecitymanager.Priortothe1950s,theprimary
functionofsmalltomediumsizedcitiesappearedtobethedevelopmentandexpansionofinfrastructureto
accommodatebothvehicularandpedestrianactivityinneighborhoods.Assuch,citymanagersofthesejurisdictions
typicallyenjoyedbackgroundincivilengineeringandotherrelatedfields.However,progressivemovementsonpartof
bothICMAanduniversitiesnationwidecorrectlypredictedthatthisroleandfunctionwouldbeexpandedtorequire
municipalchiefexecutivestohavebackgroundsinsuchareasasfinance,economics,personnelmanagement,
organizationleadershipanddevelopment,andcityplanning.Graduateschoolsofpublicadministrationthroughoutthe
UnitedStateslikewisebegantorevisecurriculumstoreflectthisvision.Wow,itispossibletosecureapublicsector
leadershippositionwithoutthebenefitofpoliticalconnectionsand/oracertainfamilypedigree,Ithoughtafterthis
research.BythetimeIenteredundergraduateschool,Iwasbothmotivatedandanxioustoproceedwiththenecessary
careerandgraduateschooleducationpathtoyieldadreamandvisiontosomedaybecomeawelltrained,capableand
dedicatedcitymanagertoservevariouslocalitiesacrossAmerica.
TheaforementionedvisionandinspirationultimatelyleadtopositionswiththeCityofChicago,IllinoisandtheCityof
Peoria,Illinois,followedbyanassistantcitymanagerrolewiththeCityofDeerfieldBeach,Floridaallthroughoutthe
1990sduringmytwenties.KeyachievementsinthesecapacitiesservedmeverywellforthesolidcitymanagercareerI
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continuetoenjoytoday.Interestingly,however,manyattemptsweremadebybothmediaandresidentstosome
degree,toofferlessfocusonmyqualificationsandtraininguponbeinghiredasacitymanager,andinexchange,
devotedenergyonwhatIconsidertobelessimportantmatterssuchasageandethnicity.Forinstance,uponjoining
theCityofSebastian,Floridain1999toserveasthatcommunityscitymanager,muchattentionwasdirected
concerningmyagehavingjustcelebratedmy29thbirthdayoneweekaftertheSebastianCityCouncilconcludedits
selectionprocess.Additionally,uponappointmentasLasCruces,NewMexicoCityManager(February2005)and
Morgantown,WestVirginia(December2010),variouscommentswereofferedpubliclyaboutmybecomingthefirst
AfricanAmericancitymanagerinbothstatesrespectively.Theadjectivestrailblazerandpioneerwereoften
communicatedduringspeakingengagementsandatotherfunctionsthatIparticipated.AlthoughIappreciatedthe
positivesentimentsandacknowledgementstothiseffect,Iworkedratherdiligentlytodiscouragesuchmyinterestsin
theseregardshadnothingtodowithbecomingthefirstatanything.Iwassimplypursuingmysincereprofessional
interestspursuanttothereasonsastowhyIwasattractedtotheprofession.However,Iverecentlybegantobetter
accepttheideaofmybeinginthispositionforreasonsotherthanwhatIvesharedinthispublication,asmyancillary
experiencesandinteractionswithdiversepopulationsstronglysuggeststomethatmanypeoplestillrequireinspiration
andencouragementtopursuetheirdreamsandambitions.Basedonmyhumblebeginningsandtheblessedabilityto
reachbeyondthelimitsofmyinitialcircumstancesonChicagosSouthside,Ibelievethateachofusashumanbeings,
haveaninherentobligationrespectively.Iamlikewiseproudthatmydedicationandcommitmenttopublicservicehas
enabledmyabilityinthatregard.

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TheValueofPublicService:TheLastFrontier
By:JamesN.Holgersson,MITandAllianceforInnovationBoardMember
AsafirstgenerationSwedishAmericanandyouthofthe60s,itwaseasyformetobeattractedtopublicservice.Igrew
upamongseveralgenerationsofAmericansthatwereconvincedwecouldaccomplishanythingandthateveryone
shouldhavetheopportunitytofulfillthe"AmericanDream."Afterall,wewonWorldWarII,landedonthemoon,
marchedandpassedlegislationforequality,declaredawaronpoverty,createdMedicareforourseniors,built
transportationnetworks,schoolsandhousingforeveryoneandunleashedthepowerofscienceandtechnology.Allof
theseinvestmentscreatedarobusteconomythatprovidedallsortsof"wonderfultoys"andopportunitiesthatwould
enhancelife.FromthedayourfathersandmothersreturnedfromWorldWarII,webegantoreinvestinAmericaby
buildingatremendouspubliceducationinfrastructurethatwassecondtonone,increasingcollegegraduationfrom7%
ofthepopulationto25%.Wecontinuedtotakeactionsthatwouldbuildthemiddleclassandincreasetheopportunity
foranyonewhoworkedhardtoconnecttothe"Americandream."Wehavecontinuedto"march"forwardaseach
successivegenerationcontinuedtobuildonthefoundationbuiltbytheWorldWarIIgenerationthatTomBrokaw
describedasthegreatestgeneration.Governmentwasviewedinapositivevein,settingthevision,making
investmentswithareturnandfocusedoncreatingtheopportunitiesformakinglifebetterforallAmericans.
Soforme,itwasaneasydecisiontogointopublicservicetocontinuethemissionofmakingadifferenceandbeinga
partoftheefforttohelppeoplesucceed.Thequestionofwhatlevelofgovernmenttoservewasprettyeasy,afterall,
thefederalgovernmentwasrunningalongwell,butitwas"toofar"away.Stategovernmentwasmoreofamystery,and
fromwhereIsatdidnotseemtohavemuchofapositiveimpactonpeople'slives.Inanumberofcasesinthe60s,State
Governmenthadtriedtoblocktheaccessofpeopleintoeducationandequalopportunity,sothatdidn'tseemagood
placetostart.Localgovernment,theplacethatyoucan"feelandtouch"andeverydayworkstomakelifebetterforits
residents,thatwastheplacetostart.Soin1974,Ibeganmyjourney,whichupuntilSeptemberoflastyearwasaseries
ofexperiencesandchallengesthatmorethanfulfilledthelifetimedreamthatIhadforbeingpartofmakinga
difference.FromIowaandMichiganintheNorth,toTexasintheSouth,TennesseeintheEastandCaliforniaonthe
West,mypublicservicecareerhasbeenaterrificadventure!Ihavehadtheopportunitytoworkwithmanycommitted
andpassionateelectedofficials,extremelytalentedanddevotedpublicemployeesandmanywonderfulneighborhood
residentsandbusinesseswhounderstandcivicresponsibilityandsupporttheircommunitiesinsomanydifferentways.
Publicserviceistrulyapassionandamission.
Soasa"managerintransition"oneisprovidedsignificantopportunitytopontificateandphilosophizeonjustaboutany
subject.Thereisampletimetothinkaboutthepastandthefuture,wheninfactitwouldbehealthierandmore
productivetofocusonthepresent.Whenlookingback,thenaturalquestionis"ifIhadittodooveragainwouldIdoit
(publicservice)again?",andmyresoundinganswerisabsolutely.Now,onthequestionastomyfutureandwhatisnext,
Iamstillsearchingfora"Zen"momenttopointtheway.Thepresenthasoverallbeenagoodexperiencewithmany
friendsandprofessionalpeerscheckingintoseehowI'mdoing.Itisareminderforallofusastotheimportanceofour
professionalcolleaguesandfriendsinourlives.Ithas,indeed,beenagoodtimetoassessandrefocusonthe
"interestingtimes"welivein.
Today,goodgovernment,asagoodthing,isslowlytransformingintoadesireforlessgovernmentornogovernment.
I'mnotsurethatmostofthelessgovernmentadvocatesknowwhatlessornogovernmentmeansintheirlives.The
visionandgoalsofourFederalandStateleadershaschangedfromtacklingmajorchallengesandmakingmightyvisions
thatbuiltabetterlifeforourcitizenstobifurcatedissues,specialinterestpriorities,extremerhetoricandbudget
accountingaspolicydeterminant.Rhetoricismorefocusedon"me"than"we"andon"I"than"you."Thereislittle
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discussionaboutmakinginvestmentsforthefutureorinitiatingfurtheractionsthatwillhelpallAmericansachievethe
"AmericanDream".Sofar,onlysomeofwhatishappeningnationallyisimpactinglocalgovernment.Forthemostpart
wecontinuetoseelocalelectedofficials,managementandstaffandresidentsvisioning,planning,strategizing,
investing,implementingandyes,balancingbudgets.Thereisthecontinuedmissionofbuildingstrongerneighborhoods
andmorevitalandconnectedcommunitiesthathelppeoplesucceed.Localgovernmenthasbecomethefinalfrontier
forpublicservice.
Innearlyeverycityacrossourgreatcountry,neighborhoodresidents,localgovernments,nonprofitsandbusinesses
partnerinasharedvisionandsharedinterest.Asmymentorwoulddescribe,localgovernmentisabout"goodpeople
doinggoodworkindifficultsituations."Tosucceedfortheircommunities,localgovernmentconstantlyreinventsitself.
Notlongagoskillsforasuccessfulmanagerrevolvedaroundauthority,hierarchy,analysis,goodplanninganddecisive
judgment.Todayweliveinavery"smallworld,"diverseandconnectedinsomanywaysandexposedtoallsortsof
informationtocollectandinterpret.Successfulmanagementtodayrequiresamultitudeoftools,experiencesandskills.
Wehavemovedfromauthorityandhierarchytoteamwork,collaborationandnetworking.Successrequiresdecisive
judgmentandproblemsolvingbutgrowinginimportancearetheskillsofrelationshipmanagement,conflict
managementandinterpersonalcommunication.Today'schallengesplacesahigherpremiumontheabilitytochampion
change,driveforresultsandanabilitytoleadaprocessofcontinuousimprovement.Possessingorganizationalsavvy
aboutthepublicsectorworksaswellasunderstandingandknowingthecommunityorganizationsbothformaland
informalhasbecomemoreimportantforsuccess.Asuccessfulmanagertodayneedsanevenstrongerresilienceasheor
shecopeswithalloftheissuesandopinionsandmanycriticsfromalldirections.Customerfocusandcustomerservice
skillsareevolvingintostrongerneighborhoodrelationshipsandpartnershipswherecivicresponsibilityandcommunity
participationareresurging.ItisreminiscentofthechallengeofaPresident,whoover50yearsagodeclared"asknot
whatyourcountry"community"candoforyou,butwhatyoucandoforyourcountry"community!"Itisoneofthe
greatestopportunitiesforreengagingresidentsandtheircommunityandinturnperhapsreestablishinggovernmentas
a"goodthing."Yes,wedoliveininterestingtimes.
Forme,Iamnotsurewhatexcitingnewadventurewaits.IdoknowthatICMA,itsStateAffiliatesandtheother
professionalorganizationssuchastheAllianceforInnovationandCenterforPerformanceManagementprovidethe
technicaltoolsandprofessionalnetworksthathelpusachievesuccesseachandeveryday.Becauseofthatsupport,
localgovernment,itsleadership,talentedworkforceanddiverseresidentsandneighborhoodswillcontinuetobuild
evenbettercommunities.Yes,asunpredictableastomorrowisandasstormyastherecentpasthasbeen,todayis"a
gooddaytomakeadifference!"

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CultivatingCommunities
ByDarinAtteberry,CityManager,FortCollins,CO
Publicserviceisaprivilege.EverydayIhavetheopportunitytomakemycommunityabetterplace.
Forthoseofuswhohavechosenpublicserviceasaprofession,itisclearthattheworkwedomatters.Wedirectly
impactpeopleslivesinverytangibleways.Weprovidethenecessitiescleandrinkingwater,emergencyresponse,
drivableroads,electricityandthesearecriticaltoacommunity.Butbeyondthelistofimportantservices,wehavea
largerrole.Publicemployeeshelpdefineanddifferentiatecommunities.Webuildandmaintainparks,wesupport
culturalfacilitiesandrecreation,weconserveandprotectopenspace.Inshort,wehelpcreatequalityoflife.
Formostofusinthepublicsector,ourjobismorethanapaycheck.Fromparkscrewstoutilitylineworkers,parking
attendantstopoliceofficers,IknowIspeakformycolleaguesacrossthenationwhenIsaywetakegreatprideinthe
qualityofourwork.Wetakegreatprideinourcommunities.Andwetakegreatprideinserving.
Increasingly,localgovernmentsarerunwiththesameprofessionalism,efficiency,andhighexpectationsofprivate
business.Toachievethathighstandard,wemustardentlycommittotransparencyandcontinuousimprovement.Just
asprivateshareholdersexpectdividends,ourcommunitiesexpectustoprovidecosteffective,highqualityservices.We
wanttodothebestworkwecan,andthenfindwaystodoitevenbetter.
Thisiswhereinnovationcomesintoplay.Inmyexperience,someofthemostinnovativemindscomefromthepublic
sector.Theysaynecessityisthemotherofinvention.Well,decreasingresources,increasingpressures,andrising
expectationsofgovernmenthavecertainlyspurredcreativity.Publicemployeesacrossthenationarefindingnewways
toprovideservices.Wereredefiningpartnershipstoincludepublic,private,andnotforprofitcollaboration,aswellas
sharedservicesamongpublicinstitutions.Innovationismovingbeyondaconcepttoaconcreteandnecessarypractice.
WhileIcannotunderstatethecharacterandcommitmentofpublicemployees,itiscrucialthatweunderstandthat
publicserviceisnotsolelytheresponsibilityofgovernment.Allofusfromindividualresidentstoglobalorganizations
havetoshareintheresponsibilityofcaringforourcommunities.
Ourperceptionofpublicservicemustevolve.Governmentsatalllevelsnolongerhavetheresourcesandabilitytoplay
thetraditionalroleofproblemsolver.Andquitefrankly,theassertionthatgovernmenthasalltheanswersisan
outdatedandpaternalisticmodel.Instead,governments,residents,organizations,theprivatesector,andnonprofits
needtoredefineourrelationships.Wemustcultivateacollaborativeproblemsolvingculturewhereweallhavethe
responsibilitytoaddresschallengesandprepareforthefuturetogether.
Thisisthetruevalueofpublicservice;itstheabilitytobringpeopletogethertoaccomplishacommongoal.Tohelp
movebeyondpoliticalbeliefs,andbeyondthehardlineswetoooftendrawbetweenyouropinionandmine.Ibelieve
thatpeople,attheircore,careabouttheircommunity,howeverthatmaybedefined.Somemaywantlessgovernment,
somemaywantmore,butmostwanttoliveinaplacethatssafe,welcoming,andwherepeoplegenuinelycareforone
another.
Ifwecanallagreethatweplayanimportantroleaspublicservants,thenwecanelevateourconversationstoaddress
realissues.Wecanalltakeresponsibilityforouractionsandspeech.Wecandisagreewhilemaintainingcivilityandan
authenticcommitmenttofindsolutionsthatarebestforourcommunity.Wecanpledgetobehavewithintegrityand
candorwiththeintenttofostertrust,becausetrustisimperative.
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Ibelievepublicservicereachesbeyondaresponsibilitytoourcurrentcommunity.Wehaveagrowingobligationto
ensurethatourcurrentplans,investments,andactionsdonotharmfuturegenerations.Weneedtogenuinelyembrace
amodelofsustainabilityinwhichenvironmentalstewardship,fiscalresponsibility,andsocialawarenessareequally
important.
Itsourjobaspublicservantstocontributetoqualityoflife,todemonstratetransparency,topursueexcellence,to
innovate,tocollaborate,andmostimportantlytoleadbyexample.Thisisnotaprofessiontochoosewithout
thoughtfulconsideration.Thereiscertainlymorefortune,freetime,andprivacytobefoundinothercareers.ButIcan
thinkofnootheroccupationmorerewarding.
TheodoreRooseveltsaiditbest,Farandawaythebestprizethatlifehastoofferisthechancetoworkhardatwork
worthdoing.Bythatdefinition,weveallearnedtheprize.

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AllintheFamily
ByCherylHilvert,RetiredCityManagerandAllianceforInnovationBoardMember
AsIlookbackon31yearsoflocalgovernmentservice,Iambothpleased,andhumbled,bytheimportanceofthework
thatwedo,thepeopleIhavemet,andallthemanythingsIlearnedalongtheway.Whiletheenvironmentinwhichwe
workhasneverbeeneasy,wecanalltakeprideinthe"difference"weareabletomakeinourcommunitiesandin
people'slives.IcantrulysaythatworkinpublicserviceisaprivilegeandthatIhave"enjoyedtheride"...andwouldbet
thatnearlyallofmycolleagueswouldagree!
Weprobablyallcometoourcareersinpublicserviceindifferentways.Manyaredrivenbytheopportunityto"makea
difference."Othersmaybemotivatedbyworkthatisvariedandchallenging.Tosomeothers,itmaysimplybeajob
untiltheylearnthetruevalueandcontributionthatwemakeaspublicservants.Forme,myinterestandloveofpublic
serviceoriginatedfromadifferentsource...myDad!
Asachild,whentheotherkidswereoutplaying,Iwastheonethatwastakentocouncilmeetingswhenimportant
issueswerefacingourcommunityorneighborhood.HemadesurethatIknewthenameofourmayorandourschool
superintendent.HealsomadesurethatIknewhowimportantitwastobeanactiveandinvolvedcitizenofmy
communityandtounderstandthatbeingeducatedaboutwhatwasgoingonaroundmeandthat"giving"andnotjust
"taking"waswhatIneededtodothroughoutmylife.
Incaseyoudon'trealizeitbynow,myDadwasapublicservant.Hewasamathteacher,afootballandbasketballcoach
inaninnercityschooldistrictformorethan33years.HewasalsoaWWIIveteranaB17pilotandprisonerofwar.
Theworkhedidwasnevereasy,buthelovedhiscountry,hiscommunity,andbelievedintheimportantworkthatis
donebypublicservants.Hewasarolemodeltomeandwasalsomyhero.And,whilehenevertoldmewhatcareerto
pursue,Isupposemydestinywasalwaystoworkinpublicservice.
Likemanyofmycolleagues,mycareerwasextremelyrewardingandIhavethegreatfeelingthatImadeadifferencefor
thecommunities,businessesandresidentsIserved.Whetheritistheassistanceweprovideinanaturaldisaster,
implementingqualityservicesandprogramsthatmakepeoplewanttoliveinthecommunitiesinwhichweserve,or
simplyhelpingtheelderlywomanintownwholivesalone,theretrulyisa"highermoralpurpose"totheworkthatwe
do.Theopportunitiesforustocontributeinthesewaysaretrulyendless.
Inadditiontotheserviceswehelptoprovide,wearealsothebuildersofcommunityanddemocracy.Westandbythe
chartersthatcreateourlocalgovernments.Wesupporttheelectedofficialsmanyofwhomareparttime,andnot
careerpoliticiansintheirverydifficultanddemandingjobs.Whenconfrontedbynaysayers,westandbehindthe
decisions,laws,andworkofourorganizationsandstandupforwhatisrightaboutgovernment.Attimes,weconfront
citizenswiththeirfreedomsandchallengethemtobecontributingmembersofourcommunities.Whilethisworkis
challenging,itisawesometothinkofitspowerforourcommunitiesandorganizations.
Wealsobringthebestoutinpeople.Whetheritisinspiringpeopleinatimeoftragedyorsimplyencouragingpeople
todomorethantheythinkcan,wehavetheopportunityaspublicservantstomakeadifference,notonlytothequality
ofworkinourcities,buttothepeopleweencounter.Itisrefreshingtoseethemanytalentsandcapabilitiesofthe
peoplewhoworkinlocalgovernmentatalllevelsandtoknowthatabigpartofourjobsistosupportanenvironment
thatpermitseveryonetocontributetothesuccessofourorganizations.Similarly,itisencouragingtoseewhen
residentsstepuptobeourpartnersintheworkoflocalgovernmentandassistinbuildingthetypesofcommunityin
whichtheywanttoliveandwork.
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Thisistheworkofthepublicservant,regardlessofpositionorlocationintheorganization,regardlessofpaygradeor
title.Whenweworktogetherwithasharedvision,withapurposeandcommitmenttotheimportanceandvalueof
publicservice,andatruecommitmenttoworkingtogethertobuildcommunity,wecanaccomplishanything!
ThiswasthemessagemyDadtaughtmeatanearlyageandthatIcontinuedtolearnthroughoutmycareerinpublic
service.Ihavetriedthroughoutmylifetohelpothersseethevalueofpublicservice,whethertheyserveinapaid
positionoraregivingbacktotheircommunityasanactiveandinvolvedresidentorbusinessperson.
Areyoudoingallyoucantopayforwardthemanyopportunitiesyouhavehadandthegratificationyouhaveearned
forajobwelldone?Ichallengeyoutodojustthatandcelebratewithmethetruevalueofacareerinpublicservice.
MyDad,andyours,wouldbeproud!!Yourmom,too!

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AViewfromtheFounders
ByJacksonC.Tuttle,CityManager,Williamsburg,VA
GeorgeWashingtonlovedMountVernon,butascommanderofAmericanforcesfightingforindependencehelefthis
homefornearlynineyears.Heremainedinthefieldwithhisillequipped,illfedandoftenunpaidtroops.Refusinga
salaryhimself,hesomehowmanagedtoholdthearmytogetherandtoprevailintheend.
AbigailAdamstookovermanagementofthefamilyfarmatBraintreenearBostonforyearswhilehusbandJohnwasfar
awayonpublicbusiness.SogreatwasherneedduringthewarthatthethingshemostwantedJohntosendfrom
Philadelphiawasabundleofpins.
AlexanderHamilton,asthefirstSecretaryoftheTreasury,badlyneglectedalucrativeNewYorklawpracticetoapplyhis
brilliantmindandvastenergytomanageafragilenewnationalgovernmentonasoundadministrativeandfinancial
footing.
TheUnitedStatesexiststodaybecausepeoplelikethese,andmanyotherslessfamous,riskedtheirlivesandfortunes
puttingtheinterestsoftheircountryaheadoftheirown.Theirsacrifices,courageandvisionaspublicservantsaretruly
inspiring.Atthesametimewetakeinspirationfromthem,wetendtoshyawayfromthem.Afterall,arenotour
frustrationsanddisappointmentsonthejobcomparativelyinsignificant?Arenotoursacrificesinthecauseofpublic
service,muchlessourachievements,unworthyofmentionnexttotheirs?
Thewayweusuallywarmuptothesedistantgiantsisbyemphasizingtheirhumanfailingswhichmoderndayhistorians
haveexposedincompellingdetail.That,however,doeslittletoexplaintheirperseveranceinthecauseofthepublic
good.Ibelieveananswercanbefoundintheconnectiontheymadebetweenpublicserviceandtheirownpersonal
happinessandfulfillment.
InWashingtonscase,nofounderwassoconsistentlyawareof,attimesobsessedwith,hisownreputation.Throughout
hislongcareerevenfromboyhood,hecalculatedhowhisdeportmentandactionswouldwintherespectand
admirationofothers.Byputtingallhehadandhopedtogainatriskleadingthefightforindependence;and,once
achievingitagainstallodds,byhandingbackthereinsofpowerandretiringtoprivatelifeheamazedtheworld.He
founddeeperpersonalsatisfactionintheapprobation(awordheusedrepeatedly)ofhiscountrymenthananythinglife
atMountVernonalonecouldoffer.
ForAbigailAdams,fromthedayssoldierssleptonherkitchenfloorandmeltedherpewterspoonsforbullets,toher
daysasanemissaryswifeinEuropeandthenationssecondFirstLadyfollowingMarthaWashington,shesawher
personalandfamilysacrificeaspublicservice.ShelovedtheideaofAmericabelievingthatthehappinessandsecurity
offuturegenerationstobeatstakeintheordealssheendured.
AlexanderHamilton,likewise,couldnotseehimselfprosperingapartfromthesuccessofhisadoptednation.Heused
hisconsiderableforceofpersonalityandmanagerialcompetencetomakerealavisionofAmericaasaneconomic
powerhouseunderastrongnationalgovernment.Hisdesireforbattlefieldgloryandhiscompulsiontogripfirmlythe
leversofgovernmentcannotbeseparatedfromhisbesthopesforthepublicgood.
Washington,AdamsandHamiltonareprimeexamplesofambitiousmenandwomenwhochoosetotietheirownrising
starstosomethingnewintheworld,toanAmericanrepublic.Inasensetheywereneedypeople,needingtobeapart
ofsomethinggreat.Theychanneledtheirambitionsintopublicservicenotbecausetheywereselflesssaints,but
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becausetheyneededtostriveforahighermoralpurpose,apublicpurpose,intheirlives.Theycouldnotbepersonally
happywithanythingless.
Aslocalgovernmentpublicservantstoday,wesharethesameneedtocareforthecommons,topromotethepublic
good,andtoseefreeanddemocraticselfgovernmentssucceedinourcorneroftheworld.Bydoingso,we,likethem,
fulfilloursenseofcalling,andweaddressourowndeepneedforsignificance.Likethefounders,wehavechosenthis
lifeforourselves.Itiswe,therefore,notjustourfellowcitizens,whoarethetruebeneficiariesofourservice.Itiswe
whoreceivethevalueofpublicservice.
Thisisahardperspectivetomaintainafteraparticularlymiserablecouncilmeeting,orahostileencounterwithagroup
ofcitizens,oranunfairpressassault.Beyondhard,thisperspectivemaybeimpossibletomaintainattimes.Many
competentmanagersareforcedoutorfired.ICMAnowlists182managerseuphemisticallyintransition.And,yet,we
allknowofformermanagerswhohavebeendrawnbacktotheprofession.Theirfearisnotthatpayistooloworthe
burdentoogreat,butthatcircumstanceswillnotallowthemtocontinuetomakeadifferenceinlocalgovernment.
Manyofthem,andmostofusifwehaditalltodooveragain,wouldchoosethisprofessionbecauseofthevaluewe
receivefrompublicservice.

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PursuitforProfessionalPublicManagementin2012
ByClayPearson,CityManager,Novi,MI
Wehaveleftthe2011yearthatincludedthemassiveearthquakeandtsunamioverJapanthatkilledover19,000and
devastatedinfrastructureandindustry.Localcommunitiestherehavepursuedrecoverywithdeterminationwhiletheir
peoplearesteadilyrebuildingtheirlivesandhomes.Communitiesofpeoplearegettingpositivethingsdoneeveryhour
ofeveryday,steadily.Democraticlocalgovernmentswithelectedrepresentativesofthepeople,aidedbyprofessional
localgovernmentmanagershavevastopportunities,responsibilities,andWeneedtokeepgoingstrong.Forallthe
workthathashappenedduringthisGreatRecessiontoconsolidate,collaborate,andconserve,somuchmoreisahead.
Thewayourprofessionallymanagedlocalgovernmentscanbesuccessfulistoredoubleourpursuitoforganization,
community,andpersonalimprovements.IsaypursuitbecausethatisaterminanarticlebyMikeMyatt(Forbes,
December2012)thatgrabbedme:
Afailuretoembracepursuitistocedeopportunitytoothers.Aleader'sfailuretopursueclarityleavesthem
amidstthefog.Theirfailuretopursuecreativityrelegatesthemtotheroutineandmundane.Theirfailureto
pursuetalentsentencesthemtoaworldofisolation.Theirfailuretopursuechangeapprovesapathy.Their
failuretopursuewisdomanddiscernmentsubjectsthemtodistractionandfolly.Theirfailuretopursue
characterleavesaquestionmarkontheirintegrity.LetmeputthisassimplyasIcanyoucannotattainwhat
youdonotpursue.
Forthoseofusinthepublicsector,uncheckedpatienceanddeliberationareaneasilyaccessiblesalveforthetumultof
life.However,thatsalvejusttakesouttheburnandmostoftendoesnothealthewound.Wearetheonesthathave
theleadershipresponsibilityandopportunitytopursueimprovements.IknowinmycommunitythatIamfortunate
thatourteamattheCityofNoviisgiventhespaceandencouragementtomakechangesandchoices,toimprove
ourselveswithnewtechnologies,training,andtools.Someofthatspacehascomenaturallybecauseofthenatureof
thecommunity.Muchofthatspacecomesbecausewehaveearnedthatoverthatlastdecadeplusofpositive
successesanddeliveringresultsthroughgoodtimesandbad,whenmakingfewerchangesineachsituationwouldhave
beenanoptiontopursue.PursuingsuccessoverthelonghaulfollowswhatMyattencouragesforus,thebestleaders
aresimplyuncomfortablewithanythingthatembracesthestatusquo.
IadmireandrespectmyfriendsandcolleaguessuchatKatySimoninWashoeCounty,NevadaandEdKoryznoin
Ypsilanti,Michigan.WashoeCountyandYpsilantihaveexperiencedhousingvaluedeclinesanorderofmagnitude
greaterthanmostoftherestofus.Eachhasbeenlongtenured(15years+each)consistentattheircommunityand
pursuedexcellenceinfaceofhugerevenuedeclines.
Tome,thesetwopeoplearelikeyouatyourbest;thekindofprofessionallocalgovernmentmanagerswhosaywhat
needstobesaidinpublicaboutchangesthatmustoccur.Insidetheirorganizations,EdandKatyhaveprivatelymade
incrediblyharddecisionsthathaveaffectedpeopletheyknow,alongwiththemselves.Incredibly,eachcontinuesto
smile,tomentor,tobenchmarktofindoutwhereopportunitiesexistforimprovements,andtocontributetothe
professionbystayinginvolvedwiththeirStateassociation,ICMA,andgroupsliketheAllianceforInnovationwhose
memberspursuebustingupstatusquowhereveritmakessense.
Alongwithpursuitcomesaneedforsenseofurgency.Again,forwhateverreason,itseemsthatourpublicsectorcan
lackthesenseofurgencytoact.Failingtocarryoutandexecuteonrecommendationscompoundsproblemsandleads
tobacklogsthatoverwhelm.Breakingdownasenseofurgencyamountstoknowingwhatisimportanttogetdone,
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owningthetaskstogetdone,andOneofthebestmanagementresourceswesharearoundwithouradministrative
teamistheManagersToolspodcasts.
Thosepodcastsgiveverypracticalandeffectiveadvice.Acommonthemeisthatmanagersareresponsibletogetthings
done.Specifically,arecentpodcasttalkedaboutprojectreportingandthebestwaytogetthingsdone.Whengiving
projectupdates,asinistoaskprojectstatusandgetbacktheanswer,fine.Theobjectioniswithboththemanager
askingageneralquestionthatgeneratessuchanoncommittal,nonproductiveanswerandtheresponder.Whether
assessingtsunamidisasterrecoveryattheSendaiCityairportinJapanorimplementationofanEMS/FireDepartment
companyinspectionplan,managersneedtoknowthestatusoftheirprojectworkssolidspecificresultsand
deliverables.Asenseofurgencytogetthingsdone,toobtainthatwhichwehavepursued,marksindividualsofthe
highestclass.
Onthewhole,resultsbegetotherresultsandmoreopportunities.InNovi,wehavebeenabletoexpandanddeepen
ourcommunicationsandoutreachwork.Thatawarenessandmarketinghelpsusaccomplishimprovedcitizen
perceptionsonsenseofcommunityasmeasuredbytheNationalCitizenSurvey.Thatsenseofcommunitybrings
greaterinvolvementinvolunteerismsuchaswiththe200+residentswhohavebecomeCommunityEmergency
ResponseTeam(CERT)trained.Thatcitizeninvolvementheightensouremergencypreparednessreadinesssowecan
communicateabouttheneedforselfplanningandthefirst72hoursareonyouwhichenablesourstafftotrainand
dootherpreventionworklikethecompanyinspectionsofbusinessesforfireandsafetyhazards.Whichpromotesmore
communityawarenessandinvolvementoftheCity;andsoitgoes.
Wemustkeepafteridentifyingtherightobjectivesandpursuingthemrelentlessly.Localgovernmentmanagershave
opportunitiestoidentifythosegoalswiththeirorganizationsandcommunitiesandthentogetafterthatattainment.
WhetheralocalgovernmentontheJapaneseeasternseaboard,aNevadaCountywithoutsizedpropertyforeclosure
counts,orasoutheastMichiganCitywithindustrialdisinvestment,thelocalgovernmentmanagersaretheoneswho
canmake2012andbeyondtimeswhengreatthingsareachievedwiththeircommunities.

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