In a collection of rubberstamps labeled “elementary school grading pack” sits a piece of wisdom for the ages, a cautionary tale and message of accountability all rolled into one: “You Didn’t Listen.” It might seem harsh by today’s standards, but in my view that stamp is a gentle reminder that sometimes you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to get something right. All you have to do is follow the directions given you by someone with more expertise.
Or maybe this stamp just reminds me of the way my grandfather would encourage me to be independent, but not so “hard-headed” as to think I know better than everyone.
So when local leaders say “What ever should we do about economic development?” I feel like they need to get the “You Didn’t Listen.”
Geneva has had nationally recognized experts in community development (and specifically economic development metrics) issue two complete and compelling reports about the way out of ever-rising taxes and declining population. Yet, the question “What should we do?” continues to be asked.
I heard a national news interview last week with the mayor of Erie, Pa. He was discussing their successful economic growth strategies, developed by the same consultants that did our comprehensive plan. Erie is following that guidance, and it is........