As 2010 is in full swing, thoughts are turned toward planning the year out.  Usually, I would be making out an action plan for this year of projects, budget items, and sundry other issues that need to be addressed.  Unfortunately, I know that none of these issues will be addressed.  Why?  I work for the City of West Memphis.  So, instead of an exercise in futility, here's an action plan for the City of West Memphis in 2010.

1. Clear boards of all employees/officials tenured over 20 years working in any office in the city.  This will clear out any employees/officials who have established systems or "good ole boy" networks.  We must change "maintain" into "innovate" if West Memphis is to flourish.  While I am sure my collegues with that tenure would disagree with me, this allows the city to get fresh perspective and frankly, allows us to stay a young city instead of rotting away like we are now.

2. Overhaul City Council.  Sad thing when a resolution is introduced to support the "Obama Health Plan" when no one really has stated what that is.  There are city council members who promote their own agendas through the council and through the public airing of its meetings on the local cable channel.  No names to mention here, but I encourage you to watch the council meetings and see the venom in certain council members' statements.  For example, the Obama Resolution discussion was awkward enough, but then one of the council members had to "express her disappointment that this year started off with a vote on racial lines."  While this may seem like a valid argument, one must take the woman's statements as a whole.  She uses any platform she can to push her racial agenda. I challenge each of you to check it out.

3. Establish Infrastructure.  Right now, the city does a lot of what I call "in-department spending".  There is hardly anything tying us together as far as contractors for maintenance, suppliers, IT, etc.  Purchasing goes through one person, who is on vacation more than she is at work most of the time.  Some departments are stuck in the 70's, with "Data Processing" (a 70's term in itself) handling jobs that still print out on carriage-feed paper.  Phone systems are antiquated.  There is no policing of Internet usage.  Departments are free to call any repair they see fit, without any regard for licensing or contracts.

4. Budget Accountability.  Make departments more responsible for their budgets.  Establish guidelines and reasonable limits to curb uncontrollable spenders.  Don't punish departments that are on budget by taking money from them!

One might think that I hate West Memphis because of my beliefs but that just isn't true.  I grew up here, I have family here, and here is where I live, work, and go to church.  West Memphis is my home, and I invest in West Memphis on a daily basis.  Love my job... there are many great people who work for you every day.  West Memphis can be amazing... let's get to work and see a great 2010! 

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realitycheckwm