A lot has been happening in Zion over the past few weeks, much of which I have commented on over at the Fischer for Zion facebook page. When I first sat down at the keyboard this morning, my intent was to look at these stories in turn, analyze each one, and comment on them. Then I started writing, and realized that I was wandering into a labyrinth where each event brings forth more questions, other issues, and then it spirals off in a new direction, sometimes coming to a dead end. So, I stepped back from trying to parse each issue separately to looking at how to approach them overall, as a government, and a constituency.
Over the past month or so, it seems that Zion only appears on the radar of the wider world when there is a tragedy, a murder, or a scandal to report. But, that's not the whole story, and I think we can all look around and see good people doing good work, each in their own way trying to make the city better. That is the narrative we all need to work on presenting to the world. Not simple civic boosterism, but one that acknowledges our problems, and also shows that we are actively working to solve them.
Over the past month or so, it seems that Zion only appears on the radar of the wider world when there is a tragedy, a murder, or a scandal to report. But, that's not the whole story, and I think we can all look around and see good people doing good work, each in their own way trying to make the city better. That is the narrative we all need to work on presenting to the world. Not simple civic boosterism, but one that acknowledges our problems, and also shows that we are actively working to solve them.
This is going to require a real change in habit and philosophy on the part of the Mayor and our Commissioner's. For too long, especially since the troubles with the baseball stadium started, there has been a tendency to remain silent in the face of accusations, to avoid the press, and to clear public statements with legal counsel. As I see it, this strategy of standing mute and waiting for the truth to come out in the end is fundamentally flawed, and it is actually hurting the city's prospects by feeding that negative narrative that has become the face that Zion presents to the world.
What we truly need from our civic leadership is a vibrant and articulate advocacy on behalf of the city and it's people. An advocacy that establishes a new narrative that isn't couched in nostalgia, but expresses a confident and progressive vision of the future. Whether our current leaders are capable or willing to take up the challenge remains to be seen.
Silence and indifference are two of our greatest foes, to defeat them we must speak out with voices clear and strong. All of us, together.
A quick note:
For the one or two people who might be interested, I am still doing research for the long promised "Trustee No.7" post about infrastructure. In the meantime, if you ever want to give yourself a good scare, I suggest that you take a look at the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. After reading through it, you will probably never want to drive across a bridge again.
