Published: June 30, 2008 08:40 am            

Advice you didn’t ask for

You didn’t ask me, Mr. Mayor, but I’m going to offer some advice as you prepare for your first day in office. I’m not some sage who is chock full of wisdom nor do I claim to know more than you (or anyone else for that matter) about being a mayor in a city like McAlester. I do, however, enjoy the privilege of this bully pulpit of the press. Anyway, here goes:

Realize there are politicians who love the sound of their own voice. I mean they can’t get enough of it. If allowed to, they will go on and on and on some more. Remember that if you had a written transcript of some of these pontifications, you would quickly see that all those words add up to very little substance. Keep a handle on the council meetings and keep them on point and moving right along.

There are some politicians who think age automatically translates into wisdom. This is not true. I personally know plenty of older folks who are no more wise for their age than others are for their youth. Just because a person has been around longer than you doesn’t mean he or she is smarter.

You will (and have already been) the target of some outrageous claims. Among these: You are bought and paid for by the monied interests; you are a tool of the all-powerful “Good Old Boys;” every decision you make will be handed to you by the people who are really in charge; everything you do will be done to stick it to the little guy so the big guys can get more and so on. They will disseminate this tripe via the World Wide Web, at coffee shops and even in this newspaper. If your skin isn’t already tough (and I imagine you didn’t rise to your current position in the financial community by letting every slight get under your skin), it had better be getting that way. The cadre of detractors — I heard them called the CAVE people (citizens against virtually everything) — at work in our fair city are, if not worthy, at least determined adversaries. They will attack you again and again and again and will rarely offer an idea or solution.

Be honest, open and fair. If you really want to upset those who wish you ill, open up city government like it’s never been opened up before. Make sure the city manager knows that under your watch there will be no shady deals or underhanded bargains. If you can, make secret meetings of the council (I know they’re called executive sessions, but a rose by any other name .... ) a rare thing. Take time to talk to the people to find out what’s really going on and be the voice for those with no voice.

Finally, be a good steward of our city. Help all of us celebrate the blessings we have and help us appreciate and build up our community. Lead us, Mr. Mayor —don’t follow others.

You have a tough job ahead of you. Rise to the occasion; keep all of us involved and informed and never let us forget the wonder of this fine place we call home.

Matt Lane is the editor of the McAlester News-Capital. Send him hate mail or encouragement to: Editor, P.O. Box 987, McAlester, OK, 74501. Call him at 421-2022 or send an e-mail to editor@mcalesternews.com.

        

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