I have met with a few elected officials who don’t return calls, even though they portray themselves as available to the public. We have some self-centered elected officials who want the glory without doing the work. One specific elected official has not held office long, but insists on being constantly rude when in the presence of others.
From the moment I met him, I knew he would be a pain. He wants to be the center of attention when it comes to getting a pat on the back, but hasn’t shown the community anything yet. He arrives at meetings late, then sits in the front while ignoring everyone behind him out of fear that someone knows the truth about his efforts.
No neighborhood in St. Louis should feel they are being left behind because of favoritism. Yet, this happens because people don’t speak up. You can’t sit back and not do anything while expecting an elected official to do everything for you, or fail to do anything.
Here’s some advice, for this person and those like him.
Being an elected official isn’t just an opportunity to make friends. This is a job to serve the greater good of the ward, district, city, state, country.
Secondly, when disrespect shows itself, it’s your job as a public official to remain in control of your personal emotions. It’s only human to have emotions for what you believe in, but don’t forget the people that you serve are affected by what you say and do.
Now, if this elected official knew more about what the people in his district want and need, then maybe he wouldn’t have this attitude. It’s a bad look when officials arrive at a public meeting with the intention of being disrespectful of those citizens holding the meeting.
It’s not about always seeing eye to eye, but there has to be mutual respect and a common ground that sets a priority on the people.
It seems more difficult these days for the community to work together because the leaders aren’t establishing an appropriate tone. I think of past officials who agreed to disagree and then moved forward with what they needed to do for the constituents they served.
Why can’t we get this same cooperation from officials now? Because nobody is making them take ownership of our shared problems. Passing the buck gets people nowhere and doesn’t accomplish anything. Â
There comes a time when you must turn around and acknowledge the people who helped you get where you are. Remember, just as easily as you were voted into your position, you can be voted out.
