Making Decisions

Making Decisions

I have discovered that when you are a city councilperson, you are always learning.  Some of the things that I have learned over this past year include:

• There are always decisions to be made.
• No matter how well you plan, unexpected issues occur.
• Decisions are rarely black and white.
• My constituents and the citizens of Euclid have a wide variety of opinions.
• It is impossible to make decisions that please everyone.

No matter who you are you have to make decisions.  I’ll bet that before you go to work of school every day, you make several decisions.  First you have to decide if you’re going to work/school?  What you should wear today?  What will you eat for breakfast?  What time will you have to leave to be on time?  I am sure most of these decisions are made quickly without much consternation.  You have a list of questions that you ask yourself that help you make the appropriate decision.  For example, when you decide what to wear, you may have to consider what you will be doing.  You may have to consider the weather and what is clean and available in your closet. 

Some of the decisions that I make as a council person are relatively easy as well.  They are things that are voted on annually to fund the government or provide a needed service for the citizens of Euclid.  They are agreed upon by the vast majority of citizens and the council votes unanimously to pass them.

Other decisions are more difficult:

• The decision to create something new.
• The decision to significantly change something that has been done a certain way over a long period of time.
• The decision to eliminate something that has come to be expected.

I find that making these more difficult, complicated decisions require that I do some real research.  In order to make an informed decision that will best serve the city and its citizens, I need to understand the issue/decision to be made, understand the available options, weigh the pros and cons and listen to the thoughts of the people of Euclid.

This process may involve meeting with various city directors, visiting business owners and proposed business sites, meeting with organizations that we consider doing business with, etc.  Often, I from constituents by phone or email.  I certainly take their opinions into consideration as well.

In the end, the final determination has to be what best serves the citizens of Euclid.  These decisions aren’t easy and occasionally a choice has to be made between two options that are less than perfect.  A decision still has to be made.

Although you may not always agree with my decisions, I promise that I will do my homework before making decisions and I will always be willing to discuss my decisions. 

I hope that you will feel comfortable coming to me to share your opinions and discuss your concerns.  As I start the second year of my term, I look forward to continuing to serve you.