Do City Leaders Have a Lofty, Unrealistic Vision?

For many years Novatoans have appreciated, to a large extent, a cadre of exceptional leaders serving on our City Council and as city managers. Things didn’t always go as planned, mistakes were made of course, issues were hotly contested, but for the most part the elected leaders represented the interests of the majority of the citizens in Novato. They did their job and the staff who work under them, did the same.

Recently, something has gone wrong in Novato. The council, in conjunction with city management, apparently has found their “vision statement” colliding with their “mission statement” and “core values,” and with funds rapidly shrinking, have deemed it easier to ignore their core constituency and march forward with their own agenda suggesting now, from a high perch, their collective wisdom to do “what is best for Novato." That is a guess at best and not their job.

They often site potential lawsuits against the city as reason for particular dicta contra to the will of the majority, yet their own conduct and violations of CA and federal law have occasioned several legal actions. That is because they are just erring human beings, as are we all. Cities get sued — some suits are with merit, some are not — but the job of the city council is not to advocate for the entity of Novato to the exclusion of the citizens within Novato. Novato is its people, not its bureaucracy.

I quote from the Novato City Council Policy Manual:

Mission Statement

The mission of the City of Novato is to provide excellent services and enrich the quality of life within the community in a fiscally responsible manner.

Vision Statement

By 2012, Novato will be recognized as one of the most vibrant, desirable and sustainable communities with a small town atmosphere in which to live, work, learn, shop, play and visit.

CORE VALUES

not in priority order

 The City of Novato values …

 • Teamwork

 • Excellent customer service

 • Ethical behavior

 • Honesty and integrity

 • Fiscal responsibility

 • Respect for all

 • Setting and focusing on priorities

 • Open government

• Community Involvement

When contemplating candidates for the City Council in November, take into consideration the grandiose vision statement above and elect representatives who  will honor the mission statement and core values of our city so that they will once again be thought of as our priority rules and not the other way around.

Novatoans can live modestly within our means and God-given bounty, without grand expectations, if the city can do the same.

It is an absurd assumption to state that by this time next year Grant Avenue will be alive with vibrant shops to replace those now closing weekly, or that a vacant theater will be brought back to life by a city more concerned about show than substance.