As originally published in Key West the Newspaper on August 26, 2011
I’m not a fan of milk toast leadership. You know, the kind of politician that always has the smile, wants to tell you what you want to hear, rides the fence, and whose primary consideration is their own political preservation and aspirations. In boom times, these types only gag me like a nice glass of oily bilge water, but when we are in a crisis, these ineffective, self-absorbed, do nothing, offend no one type of politicians serve as nothing more than lead ballast in a sinking boat.
While it is true that I am consumed with highlighting when these types are deficient in their service as our elected or hired officials, I would be remiss if I did not draw attention to a few of the true leaders throughout our community that make a positive difference. Yes, believe it or not, among us are individuals with the characteristics of honesty, truth, practicality and whom put their community before their own self interest. Admittedly I may not always agree with them on every issue, but I do know where they stand, and to me that is more important than a smiling jackal who will tell me what I want to hear and then either do nothing, or worse do the opposite of what they promised.
So who are some of our local heroes? Let’s start with John Dick, Chairman of the Monroe County School Board. John has been serving since 2006 and has consistently been a vigilant fiscal watch dog, conducting his own research, and aggressively challenging the school administration for better service. John will look you in the eye and tell you the stark reality of any given situation, and more importantly let you know where he stands. I know there are people that vehemently dislike John. More than likely this is because John will discuss and make the hard choices that are needed, regardless of how popular such positions or rhetoric are. John’s been trying to save a sinking ship while other less useful School Board members vilify him.
While it is true that I am consumed with highlighting when these types are deficient in their service as our elected or hired officials, I would be remiss if I did not draw attention to a few of the true leaders throughout our community that make a positive difference. Yes, believe it or not, among us are individuals with the characteristics of honesty, truth, practicality and whom put their community before their own self interest. Admittedly I may not always agree with them on every issue, but I do know where they stand, and to me that is more important than a smiling jackal who will tell me what I want to hear and then either do nothing, or worse do the opposite of what they promised.
So who are some of our local heroes? Let’s start with John Dick, Chairman of the Monroe County School Board. John has been serving since 2006 and has consistently been a vigilant fiscal watch dog, conducting his own research, and aggressively challenging the school administration for better service. John will look you in the eye and tell you the stark reality of any given situation, and more importantly let you know where he stands. I know there are people that vehemently dislike John. More than likely this is because John will discuss and make the hard choices that are needed, regardless of how popular such positions or rhetoric are. John’s been trying to save a sinking ship while other less useful School Board members vilify him.
