Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Killed by Politeness

Dear Editor,

Until very recently, Iowa’s population overwhelmingly lived and worked in small communities. What’s referred to as “Iowa nice” is probably the result of the social relationships fostered while living in those tight-knit groups. A small town is a place where everyone thinks they know everyone well and where a perceived slight can live on as a strained relationship for decades - perhaps even the remainder of one’s life.

In the environment of the small community people go out of their way to avoid damaging relationships.

Those tendencies were on display during the candidate’s night hosted by Vinton Today. Wanting very much to display an unwavering commitment to being fair and impartial, the format resulted in a meeting where it was almost impossible to discern more than subtle differences between candidates. Candidates often agreed more than they disagreed and complimented each other frequently in a civil and respectful manner.

This obscured substantively different points of view among those running for Council seats. First and foremost on many minds is how much appetite council candidates have for jump-starting growth. Ambitious plans come with risk and it would have been helpful to know which candidates favor the safety of very low-risk strategies and which favor bolder plans. The success of many initiatives important for our future will depend on the attitiudes about risk vs. potential benefit held by the successful candidates.

The mayoral contest was the race where more pointedly drawing out distinctions between candidates could have provided a valuable public service.

It seems to me that Bud Maynard’s approach to the mayor’s role is one of developing a plan, adhering to that plan, and empowering the city administrator to oversee day-to-day operation of the City. On the other hand, I think John Watson believes the mayor needs to be hands-on, engaged with citizens and city employees, and always on call to deal with constantly evolving needs.

If I’m correct, under Maynard’s vision he would guide the City toward a model more like the school district. Our schools are governed by established and carefully considered policies guiding the actions of school administrators. Board members are responsible for enacting those policies and for providing general guidance to the Superintendent who is responsible for the daily operation of the district.

Watson, it seems to me, believes events are far too fluid for Maynard’s approach to be effective. He cited the variety and urgency of issues and the need to be responsive to citizens as the reason even the best laid plan is short-circuited. For John, the mayor’s personal involvement and the commitment of lot of time are essential elements of being Vinton's mayor.

If the planning and policy view is correct and Watson wins the election, Vinton will unnecessarily remain dependent on having a strong mayor directly involved in every facet of city government. We’ll continue needing our Mayor to devote the time John Watson has. In this future, the city council and city administration will remain dependent on being guided by one person.

If the mayor as hands-on worker is the approach that best fits Vinton and Maynard wins, the result may be a city administrator acting without sufficient guidance who is second-guessed at every turn, and who will eventually be made the council's permanent scape goat. If the council lacks the resolve to speak clearly, work hard to establish policy in advance, stand firm on those policies, and back the city administrator’s decisions, the city will fail to deliver results at every turn.

The event on Tuesday was a big step forward. We have citizens willing to stand before the voters asking for our support in contested races. Community members had an opportunity to hear each candidate. Vinton Today provided a valuable service and was, in my opinion, very fair and impartial in its conduct of the evening’s event.

If our city is to improve at the pace we all want, however, we will need to find a middle ground between the trantrum-throwing presidential candidates we teach children to avoid emulating and singing Kumbaya while hoping our shared desire for a better community magically leads to the outcome we want.

The least you and I can do is to show our appreciation for all the fine people willing to serve. Take a moment out of your day to tell them thank-you by casting your ballot on November 3rd.

Kurt Karr