Our Opinion: Leadership needed in municipal government

News Tribune editorial

Sunday, August 12, 2012

When a gap opens between government and the governed, leadership becomes essential.

A divide between Jefferson City officials and residents is apparent. A perception exists that government is not trustworthy, credible or transparent.

The challenge for our city’s elected leader, Mayor Eric Streumph, and City Council members is to bridge that gap.

They must do so by creating a vision, establishing priorities and working together to spend tax dollars wisely.

The wish list for Jefferson City is lengthy. It includes a conference center, riverfront park and multi-purpose building; it extends from new development to annexation to redevelopment and historic preservation; it includes roads and bridges, and curbs and gutters; it embraces police and fire protection.

The economy, however, reminds us these are tough times.

Voters who are feeling an economic pinch recently have rejected proposed new taxes, including a sales taxes proposal for an economic development initiative, Transformation, and the Fire Department.

One signal from voters is city government must get back to basics. It must establish essential government services — including infrastructure and public safety — as priorities.

Our city leaders must build consensus and forge compromises that will transform multiple, individual priorities into a strong, unified vision for our city.

Strategies must be developed to transform those priorities into realities.

As success builds upon success, city infrastructure will be restored, services will be enhanced and credibility will be rebuilt. Admittedly, this is easier said than done. Honest, candid discussion and vigorous, thorough debate will be necessary. And public input must be invited and included every step of the way. A formidable challenge faces our city leaders. They must meet it with leadership.

More like this story

Crump 9 months, 2 weeks ago

To say that the current city leaders are not trusted is an understatement. They have tried every back-door move possible. The people are not against the fire dept. but we knew they were going to use the money for some of their ill advised projects.

We need common sense and new leadership to fix what's broken, not waste money on dreams. Our streets are horrible, but we sure do have a nice greenway. How stupid!

seeno 9 months, 1 week ago

“Yellow journalism” is the field of reporting non-researched, non-factual information (sprinkled with a few valid details) – which include headlines designed for shock value – for the sole purpose of driving traffic to a publication or website. This was the first thought that I had after reading the original article on Tuesday August 8th on election day. I agree that there needs to be some serious discussion and work, but the inflamatory articles last week did not help. This is the reason that I will never buy a full subscription to this newspaper.

online_editor 9 months, 1 week ago

I don't know of any information that fits the description of being not researched and not factual but we're far from perfect so we would benefit for the future if you'd like to cite specifics. In the past, I know we have taken care not to run election issue stories on the day of the election, and in this case, we did run various Prop 2 related stories in advance dating back to its inception, plus numerous pieces of reader feedback on the opinion page and here in these forums. However, with the city administrator's email released to city staff on Friday evening and not obtained by us until Monday, the only alternative would have been to not report that information in a timely fashion. I don't believe our readers would have been served by that, but again, we welcome any feedback that might guide us in the future. Thanks. --Rick Brown, online editor, News Tribune

JCLifer 9 months, 1 week ago

I don't think our "leaders" care. None of this is new. The only reason we are talking about it at all is because someone spilled the beans at the last minute and then got scared they were going to lose their lucrative six-figure "public service" job. We haven't seen or heard from any that they are concerned or that they desire to change the status quo.

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