A while back I was at a conference on development with a number of mayors. Most of the mayors were from larger cities here in Minnesota, and a few from cities like Clarissa.
When I gave my introduction about Clarissa it was very well received. However, the conversation afterwards turned to how the larger city mayors wished they could be the leader of a smaller city. Innocently seeming to imply that the work load or problems faced are some how less.They also seemed to think the politics would be much easier, and I found this very interesting. I countered by letting them know in the large cities, and certainly at state levels of government, it is easy to talk in idealistic platitudes about: health-care, poverty, infrastructure, taxes, etc.
However, when you’re the mayor of a city like Clarissa I can put a personal face and situation to each of these complex issues.
I gave them a few real life examples:
- I asked when there is a sewer backup or water issue in their large cities do they get the personal phone call from the citizens and the honor of wading through sewage filled basements?
- Or……how they would personally like to head up the process of being the weed inspector and telling neighbors/voters their grass is too high and the various violations that are breaking city ordinances. I also get to be the local animal control officer too!!
- Maybe they would like to be the sole person who initiates the condemnation of properties. Also, the mayor is the main contact for every agency when dealing with certain health and family issues that require country or state involvement.
These are just a few items and don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining. I love my job and enjoy the challenge of making a city better. The small cities don’t have committee’s or layers of personnel between citizens and leaders in government, and I think that is actually a positive though it presents real challenges.
The majority of the cities in Minnesota are much like the city of Clarissa. The politics of small cities are as complicated, if not more complicated, than the “impersonal” politics of big city or state politics. Just making sure we’re getting our Rodney Dangerfield "respect".....I guess.
Many of the cities in our area were last renovated just after World War II and face tremendous development and infrastructure challenges. Minnesota Law mandates a Comprehensive Planning process for metro and big cities, but it is not mandated for cities like Clarissa. I know the cities my size would say they can’t afford the cost of such a plan…however… I don’t think they cannot afford not too.
