Why must we run towns, ever increasingly, like businesses? Towns do not produce widgets. They produce citizens and communities.
A community is no more a Town, than a Town is automatically a community. A community is the tight knit social fabric that spawns success, contentment, a sense of belonging....and pride.
From this, we get great places to live, great citizens and mutual advancement. I am saddened by the ever increasing efforts of some governments to run communities like companies, or "businesses". Do you have to be fiscally responsible? Well, of course. But, we must never lose sight of the value of the community and what it means to its members. Invest in the community, in recreation and social events. In attractions and community building ventures. Every community has slightly different goals and interests, but most have a common theme. A safe, enjoyable place for the community to interact. Call it divergent interests, with convergent goals.
If you provide the right environment, many will elect to remain in the community, as you have met their needs. You will also attract new members....enlarging the community and the sense of family and belonging. We all prosper, together. Some of the pursuits and interests of the community simply can't be valued in dollars and cents. It's not about the profit margin. It's about people.
Why do we continually strip away from, or tear apart the social fabric....all in the name of a buck? Ever increasing recreation costs...reduced community programmes. It's all so short sighted...and well, stupid.Communities aren't businesses and business has gotten alot of things wrong and done alot of damage along the way. I am not anti-business, but I sure as hell don't beleive that business models apply to people and especially communities.
One need only remind themselves of a few businesses and the impact they have had on their community, possibly the entire world.
Enron-need I say more?
Nortel-How's their stock doing?
407 ETR-How's your bill looking?
Tango Airlines-Everyone got a great deal there, eh?
Government-for the people, by the people. Cool concept. Time to bring it back.
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