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Councilman apologizes for 'arrogance and ego'
Ted Long |
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With a new year comes a time for
reflection and resolution, and even new beginnings.
For the past three years, I have had the privilege of
representing you as a member of your city council. Over
those years, many things have been accomplished, and a
number of things are yet unfinished.
I am most proud of having been part of a team that has
not only brought our city’s finances under control, but
also has actually created a sound reserve consistent
with good management practices. The beginning of
construction of the much-needed convention center/hotel
with its much-improved environmental impact and open
space will reinvent our local economy and provide
much-needed jobs, especially in the shoulder seasons,
for locals.
There have been many less-obvious advances also,
including improved bus routes to serve our young people
and the Boys & Girls Club’s after-school programs,
paving repairs at the senior center, improved parking to
serve the parents and students at St. Theresa, work on
rent stabilization for our seniors and others on fixed
incomes living in our mobile-home parks, the development
of quality affordable housing, and a new way of dealing
with the gang issues and graffiti, to mention a few.
But I am not writing to announce results and programs,
but to share a discovery that I have made, and a
sobering one it is. It has become clear to me that I
have been insensitive and perhaps too confident in my
style, and as a result have offended some of you from
time to time. In my passion about issues and solutions
to our problems, I sometimes have forgotten my audience
and my responsibility to really hear you. I came to
office with what I hoped were specific programs and
mistook your vote as an endorsement of my interest. But
I made an error, not so much in the ideas, but my method
of communicating and relating to you.
The proposed roundabout at the “Y” is a good example. I
was not in favor of the project at first, but after many
hours of explanation and research, I became a supporter.
While it became clear to me that it was the safest way
to construct an intersection, my major reason for
supporting it was the aesthetics, that it would be
really beautiful, a wonderful welcome at the major
entrance to our community. Almost immediately, there was
opposition, and I, in my newfound knowledge and
enthusiasm, failed to fully listen to your concerns. I
am clear that I appeared arrogant and egotistical. I did
not intend to do this. I am truly sorry and ask for your
forgiveness. I now understand your fears, and they
deserve my full attention.
The early effort at a citywide BID is another example. I
ran on a platform of supporting the local economy, and I
was pleased to see local businesses come forward to help
themselves and pay their own way. The proposal, however,
after final review was clearly flawed and did not have
the support of important segments of the business
community. It was far too broad in its inclusion of all
business. I actually had that thought at the time, yet
failed to act, and the result caused a great divide in
our business community. My position and style on this
matter combined to create an understandable perception
by you of arrogance and ego on my part. I am concerned
that my insensitivity and style created an unnecessary
division in our town. I apologize for my role, and I
want to correct it. Again, I ask for your forgiveness. I
was wrong. I can only say I have learned from that
lesson and will draw upon that knowledge as I enter my
final year of this term.
In my view, our community truly is at a crossroads,
between a real working middle-class town with schools,
recreation and the services that actual residents need
and want, or a “for the rich” resort town, like an Aspen
or Vail. I will continue to stand for a strong and
diversified local economy, jobs and affordable housing,
as I always have. I know there are and always will be
those who will disagree on the wheres, the whys and the
hows, and this seems natural to me, as we are engaged in
a democratic process.
My request is: Can we agree or disagree openly, without
personal attacks? It seems to me that issues need to be
fully debated, honestly and openly. I will continue to
work toward creating new opportunity through
community-oriented redevelopment, and encouraging the
private sector, it will be done with local people in
mind. Above all, I will continue to respond to the
individual request for action — a stop sign, a bus
route, whatever it may be. You have my promise to be
open and available. Can we start a new dialogue with
these lessons in mind as we work together to improve our
community and create a better future for all?
Thank you, and I hope you had a wonderful holiday and
all your New Year’s resolutions come to pass.
— Ted Long is a member of the South Lake Tahoe City
Council. |
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