Community Governance and Frederick's Future
Community Governance, what is it and why should Frederick look to it for the future?
Community governance is a means of governing that is more inclusive with citizens taking a more active role in the decision making on public matters. It is characterized by collaborations between political leaders, citizens, businesses, and other community stakeholders.
Transparency, open lines of communication and a talented engaged citizenry, all hallmarks of Frederick, are key ingredients in successful community governance.
As the city of Frederick closes the books on 2016 and enters into a local election year, the timing may be right to elect political leaders who can guide the city into a new era marked by a citizen centered governance, community governance.
More and more it seems we are seeing folks express discontent over increased residential development, blighted properties in the city, and insufficient transparency in decision making on issues of importance like the downtown hotel project.
Moving toward community governance, greater involvement of residents in decision making and improved transparency, would not solve all problems but could be a big step forward. Community members need to be better informed and take more responsibility for the planning and implementation of policies that determine what the Frederick of tomorrow will be. It is important to get involved and stay involved in determining the future of our county seat.
You can have an impact! In the words of Margaret Mead “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Just look at local examples like Residents Against Landsdale Expansion (RALE), the group that supported the saving of Citizens Montevue and the group fighting public funding of the downtown hotel project. Determined community members can have an impact.
It is not enough to just vote in the upcoming city elections. It is important for folks to become active, active in educating themselves on the candidates and the issues, active in supporting those you believe will do the best for Frederick and more importantly, remain active after the election.
Remaining active after the election, whether your candidate is victorious or not is the key to successful community governance. Citizen involvement and not lip service unsupported by action is what will be needed to move Frederick to citizen centered governance, giving a greater voice to the community.
Political leaders must be open to and be active in facilitating community governance. but it cannot work without active citizen involvement. Voting for the right candidates is important in setting the foundation that community governance can stand on but active citizen participation in building and sustaining problem solving partnerships is critical for success.
Frederick is a prime example of a city that can benefit from greater citizen involvement. It is a community full of untapped talent and resources that can be devoted to problem solving and setting the course for the future. Now let’s see who, if anyone, will step up to the plate and provide the leadership to move the governing of Frederick in a new direction.
