Published: November 24, 2009 10:08 am      

MEDS needs a plan to move forward

The city is preparing to begin the process on the creation, development and implementation of a strategic plan for the city of McAlester. I say go for it! Plans are good and the alternative is the status quo which, based on results, is NOT working! The better your plan, the more successful your outcome.

If silence had a sound, when Acting City Manager Pete Stasiak vocalized the price tag for the potential project at a recent McAlester Economic Development Service board meeting, it would have been screaming. The air seemed to be sucked out of the room at the mention of spending $170,000 for the project.

This announcement could not have been made at a better time, as MEDS was discussing whether or not to spend some of its green on a very similar project.

I am a member of the MEDS board. It is in the by-laws that there be a seat on the board for the publisher of the local newspaper. You would think those board members at the time might have done that because they believe in transparency.

I need to make it clear I am a huge proponent of economic development. The success of my business depends on it. I am very vocal with my opinions and have no problem attaching my name to them. I’m one of those “if I have something to say to you, I’ll say it to your face” kinds of girls. Sometimes I live by the famous momism, “if you can’t say something nice then don’t say anything at all.”

I believe in the concept of MEDS, a group dedicated to developing and growing the economic base for McAlester. I am a huge believer in any group that works together to make great things happen. I cannot say I am proud of the work I have done over the last year as a MEDS board member because I have not done anything. I have tried, but we all know trying is doing a whole lot of nothing with a little energy! I certainly am willing to accept accountability for the lack of progress. I knew eventually my forwardness, bluntness and direct nature would offend some. In fact, the older I get the less tact I have vocalizing my thoughts. I do try to use my inside voice and that, at times, is a stretch.

I respect the board as an entity that supports growth. It is my opinion the board is made up of two types of people — evolutionary and revolutionary. There are those who feel comfortable moving forward and those who choose to dig in their heels.

I support the city’s plan to put together a strategic plan for our community. As it stands right now, there is no plan: A year down the road, five years down the road, or 10 years down the road — just living day to day, paycheck to paycheck without any direction. There is no mission to become any better than we are today.

Stasiak commented, “Sometimes you have to take off the gloves, get down in the mud and start all over.” Preach on brother! MEDS board member Barbara Gilbertson voiced her belief that we have to have a plan in order to move forward. Preach on sister! Without a plan to reach specific goals you never get to experience the joy of reaching them.

The great deal about the city’s strategic plan project is that all groups working toward progress for McAlester will benefit from the data collected. Local businesses will benefit from the data. The Chamber, Main Street, Pride in McAlester, local schools will benefit from the data. MEDS will benefit from the data. Our citizens will benefit from the data. They will get to decide what they want and how they would like the community to move forward. Goals will be developed based on what the people say and not by what the few say.

The money the city will spend on this project will come from economic development funds that are already in existence. I’m not certain about the exact dollar amount that is sitting in this fund, but word is, it’s a lot. Some may disagree with how it might be used. But most agree the time has come to use it for something great.

I am very proud of MEDS for deciding it is the perfect time to move past how things used to be and move toward something better. I am proud that some on the board accept responsibility for becoming stagnant with its work. I have much respect for Pete Stasiak for having the courage to stand up for what he believes to be a progressive and necessary step for this community.

I am proud the city believes in moving forward, even if it means spending some money.