As Federal and State government tighten their budgets, now is the local time for local governments to do some soul searching and ask the question, what is the role of government?
During this campaign for Lacey City Council position 4, I want to take the lead in influencing that discussion and the eventual answer.
My view it quite simple, the primary role of local government is to provide public safety and adequate infrastructure, which then paves the way for growth and prosperity. Outside those two functions, any proposals that seek to extend local government should be subjected to a vigorous and thoughtful philosophical debate.
Moreover, I view local government as a “partner with the private sector”. In that context, I believe all of our civil servants, who are our neighbors, and who care about our city and its outcomes just as each of us do, should work to ensure that each component of government is adding value to what the city is trying to achieve. If it cannot define that benefit, it should cease to exist.
We need to attract a young, creative class and make sure their entrepreneurial opportunity glide path is greased by the wheels of government cooperation, not sanded by the salt of government intrusion.
I was always told that “failing to plan is planning to fail” and that is something I believe. We have to meticulously plan for our future and the planning begins with a thoughtful answer to the question “what is the role of government”?
Raymond