Communities need leaders. For better or for worse, leaders hold the vision for the municipalities they serve.
It’s so easy to point fingers and criticize those who put their butt on the line to serve their constituents.
Every day on the news it’s typical to see people scrutinizing the very leadership they elected, offering no solutions. In the Middle East, activists revolted to overthrow President Hosni Mubarak. But for what?
Their was no leadership ready and willing to step in with a vision aligned with the people of Egypt. No one was prepared and organized to lead. No one person was willing to be responsible for creating, managing and executing the will of the people. So now the country is being managed by the government, awaiting elections in September and fearful that the very ideals they revolted to dismiss will once again gain power.
Leadership is not only needed in our governments. Our families needs for us to lead by example. Our neighborhoods are waiting for us to organize a crime watch. Our PSTA is eager for ideas and participation. Our local nonprofits are waiting for us to serve on committees. The point is, that without leadership there is no structure for success.
Recently, Hollywood has witnessed drastic changes. Hollywood Gazette asked the newly appointed Interim City Manager and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Executive Director to share their vision for the future of our city and you can read what they said in our July issue and on our website.
And in 2012, you will have an opportunity to vote for new leadership -- the mayor and all commission seats are up for re-election. If you’re so inclined there’s still time to run for office yourself. On page 18 learn who is already running for office and how you can, too.
If you find you disagree with the direction our city is going in, I challenge you to be someone who shapes a new vision. And if we are aligned with the promises the current leaders are making, our job is to support them and hold them accountable for delivering on those promises.
If they don’t keep their promises, complaining really makes no difference. Either step up and lead or get out and vote.
