My Last Council Meeting at the Helm

This morning I was listening to a broadcast on CBC Radio that talked about the topic of nostalgia. In the 1700’s, nostalgia was treated as an illness. Thankfully, today it is not seen as such but as an emotion that surfaces when we think of things and people we have loved and cherished but that belong to the past. In my case, as an immigrant who left my parents and the rest of my family behind in my country, nostalgia has been a companion for many years. It is not something I linger on, but sometimes I long for sensations and company that is not there anymore.

Today, I feel a bit like that but for a different reason. Tonight I will attend my last Council meeting as the CAO of a local government. And I feel very emotional about it.

As I reflect upon my 34 years as a local government professional, my mind is flooded with memories of my first Council meeting in Italy and the many wonderful moments I have had in dedicating a substantial portion of my life to this profession. I followed in my father’s footsteps. He too worked for a local government (for almost forty years). I still vividly remember going to his office as a child and being fascinated by items on his desk, the decor of his office, and the gregariousness of his coworkers. It felt important, happy and productive. I guess the fascination never went away and after articling for a few months with a law firm, I felt that my place was in a local government office, serving the public and making a positive difference in the life of communities.

This profession has given me many opportunities. I was able to practice my profession in three continents. I also learned to give back to the profession as I have been very aware of the blessings I received over the years thanks to my job. I have seen towns and cities grow. I have built teams of skilled professionals and earned hordes of friends. I have come to respect the democratic process, the decision-making authority of Councils, and the challenges that local governments around the world face.

One of the most vivid pictures in my mind is that of a section of the beach on the South China Sea in the City of San Fernando in the province of La Union, in the Philippines. The Mayor of the City, Mary Jane Ortega, one of the most intelligent women I have ever met, introduced me to the city slum. The beach was full of unkempt and broken shacks – makeshift habitations for those who only had free range fishing to sustain themselves. Open-air sewage ran within the “village” with many little kids playing soccer nearby. Mayor Ortega had a dilemma: how could she relocate these people to a better part of town? The problem was not just the deplorable conditions these people were living in, but also one of safety. The typhoon season was fast approaching and the damage and loss of life could be catastrophic. I tried to help. It is not easy to solve these kinds of problems. In the process, I acquired two things: first, a sense of humility that the smallest difference we make can be a huge blessing for others, and second, a lasting friendship with a dynamic woman who had been elected to make a difference in her community.

Today, as I approach my last Council meeting at the proverbial helm, I wish I could do it all over again. My wife would probably tell me that I am insane: too many after hours spent trying to make things go smoothly or to solve a problem, too much health left behind because of it. But I loved every minute of it. And if my children asked me “Dad, what was that made you love this work so much?” I would answer with three things: a sense of community, a desire for a better world, and the dream of making a difference.

There are many colleagues and professionals in my field that would agree with my sentiments and I know how good and dedicated they are. This is for them too.

In the end, though, if I had to identify what I have learned that has made a difference in my life from my job, It does not take me too long to identify three principles that I believe to be of most importance to me.

Compassion (and Empathy). Many times people that interact with local government professionals do so superficially, having to deal with specific issues. In dealing day in and day out with employees and leaders in local government, I have come to appreciate how much they care for the people they serve and for their community. Many times, at the end of the day, I have seen some municipal employees shedding tears for at least two reasons: a) someone really gave them a hard time when they were trying their utmost to help them; and b) they had to tell someone that they could not help. People don’t see these things but I do and I want to thank all of these wonderful employees for their exceptional contribution.

Passion. Working in government is a thankless job. If you don;t have passion, you will not go far. If I had not had passion, I would have quit a long time ago. Many of my colleagues cherish the same feeling that their work is not in vain, even when not many see it that way.

Determination. It is difficult to stay the course in the face of much scrutiny and criticism. Many times I questioned the reasons why I was still doing what I have done for so many years. I remember a few years ago that a difficult decision had to be made and I wavered. But then I thought that I was doing what I was doing for the right reasons and I am glad that I stayed the course even if I could have lost my job.

So, how do I feel today? Emotions are high and tenderness is real. I feel vulnerable and I am not ashamed of it. As I am not ashamed of my 34 years in local government. The best career I could have chosen in the end. I look forward to the next chapter of my life still hoping to make my contribution wherever I decided to live.

Thank you all for your support throughout the years!

adf