Recently I attended the 41st annual San Mateo County Progress Seminar in Monterey. The seminar brings together business, government and community leaders in an environment of discussions relating to regional issues and offers opportunities to meet those issues. Given the extraordinary circumstances facing our communities today, the sessions we attended garnered helpful ideas and suggestions. Two of the topics that were of significant interest to me were: “Shared Services and Beyond” and “Water: the New Gold”.
We are living in a period of change that is forcing local officials to find a new direction to be able to balance their budgets and keep vital services intact. Given the exploding reality of irresponsible governing in Sacramento, the domino effect of the actions of State Lawmakers have forced local leaders to take drastic steps to keep their communities stable. The idea of shared services is becoming a necessary reality for many communities as frequently noted in the media. This forward thinking requires bold steps to make changes like this work effectively. The idea of sharing services is a sensitive topic and may bring on dissident voices expressing opposition usually without alternatives. This is inevitable, however, through responsible leadership we owe it to our residents to examine all opportunities and options that will provide for our community now and in the future. The cost is too high if we don’t. The discussion among my peers from other cities is that shared services is something that we all have to consider and it is important that we take the time to investigate the alternatives and come up with a model that will best serve the individual communities involved.
The greatest challenge we have with respect to water is educating the public about the need to conserve. It is difficult for the public to discern the need for conservation when the weather has produced a considerable amount of rain this year. But it’s important to look beyond this year to the needs of an increasing population and the ability to meet our future agricultural needs. It is essential that we develop a plan to provide for reliable water sources. An effort must be made to insure that our levees at the delta can withstand natural catastrophes, such as earthquakes and flooding and we need to evaluate alternative water sources. Currently, the state has passed legislation that provides a direction with regard to urban conservation, agricultural conservation planning and ground water monitoring. With new development in our area and around the state affecting future water supply, we must begin making changes in how we deal with our water through new irrigation systems, recycling water and desalination to name a few. In fact, our effort of conservation really should include our complete spectrum of resources: air, water and energy. It is becoming increasingly essential that we consider all of our resources in light of their relationship to each other as they affect the needs of our economy well into the future.
The participants at this seminar echoed the need for making changes in the way we do business in our communities; changes that for some are difficult. Change is inevitable but should be planned so that it can work effectively for us. Although change is difficult, it is necessary and in the words of Ronald Reagan: “The history of our civilization, the great advances that made it possible, is not a story of cynics or doom criers. It is a gallant chronicle of the optimists, the determined people, men and women, who dreamed great dreams and dared to try whatever it took to make them come true…the optimists, the determined people, men and women, who dreamed great dreams and dared to try whatever it took to make them come true.” Foster City is proactive when looking for new ideas to improve our lives now and for the future, as evidenced by the work of our Ad Hoc Committees.
We are at a crossroads when it comes to planning our community’s future and it is important that we are in the driver’s seat of how changes will take place and when. I encourage residents to make themselves aware of the issues and become engaged in the decision making process. This is a critical time in our lives and we must not be deterred by the political and economic storm that we find ourselves in. Common sense thinking must be our guide during this time.
I look forward to comments on this and other issues: lkoelling@fostercity.org.
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