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| Jim Harbison |
Every City has elected “leaders”. According to Webster’s NewWorld Dictionary a leader is defined as: “a person or thing that leads; directing; commanding or guiding head, as of a group or activity”. Quoting again from Webster’s Leadership is defined as “the position or guidance of a leader, the ability to lead”. There are many variations of the definition and a more simplistic definition of leadership is that leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal.
Most would agree that effective leadership in government requires the elected officials to influence the electorate to support the accomplishment of some social objective. It requires a vision and communication skills and includes the ability to inspire, integrate, and motivate people to achieve a common goal or purpose. It is also about leading by example and demonstrating a higher ethical standard of conduct. Do you see this type of leadership in our City Council?
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| Las Cruces City Hall |
The leader is the inspiration and director of the action. He is the person in the group that possesses the combination of personality and leadership skills that makes others believe in his goals and want to follow his direction. The essentials of leadership are inspiration, preparation, and trust. Effective leadership is based upon ideas, but nothing will happen unless those ideas can be effectively communicated to others who become motivated and committed to them. There is a difference between leading and mandating. Citing Webster one more time mandate is defined as “an authoritative order or command, especially a written one; undertakes to do something for (to) another, without recompense but with indemnity against loss”. Our current Council certainly demonstrates an inclination to mandate rather than lead and continues to produce resolutions mandating constraints on our freedoms or liberties.
The recent City Council actions clearly demonstrate that “leadership” is not a fully developed or mature characteristic of this Council. The Mayor informed the public during a special work session that the agenda item concerning redistricting would be removed from the regular City Council agenda and that the public did not need to stick around for it. Forty five minutes later the City Council began its regular session, and having previously deceived the public and sent them home, the Mayor announced that it would remain on the agenda.
Leadership requires trust and confidence of those being lead. This was not the first time that Mayor Miyagishima’s conduct has eroded public trust. In my opinion, this latest incident demonstrated serious unethical conduct, a breach of public trust, and was clearly a failure in leadership. Unfortunately, there was also a lack of leadership on the part Councilors who allowed this deceit to continue. It will have to be determined if this constituted a violation of the open meeting act.
When our elected representatives lack the leadership abilities to articulate a common goal or effectively communicate policies to the public they may unintentionally resort to unethical practices to accomplish their political agendas which otherwise could not be achieved with public support. This kind of conduct makes the public question the motives and integrity of the Council. Is redistricting being done to insure incumbents retain their power or to comply with current law to insure the public is fairly and equally represented in each district. It has the appearance of pure partisan selfishness and clearly demonstrates a lack of leadership
The Mayor’s action and the Council’s complicity to clandestinely or deceitfully discuss any resolution without public comment illustrate their lack of leadership and shows their contempt for the public. Actions of this type do not demonstrate leadership skills but rather a lack of them.
Harbison: Where is the Leadership in Las Cruces?
From the Las Cruces Sun-News - By Reyes Mata III rmata@lcsun-news.com - The New Mexico State Game Commission voted unanimously today to suspend the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction program in the state. "I would like to suspend it for a while, lets see how it lays out," said Commissioner Thomas "Dick" Salopek. "Both sides have been unhappy about the wolf recovery program. We have been keeping peace between all people. So, you know what, if both sides are unhappy, then let's suspend it and let the federal government do it. I am frustrated at both sides, especially with the federal government." The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department - following the requirements of the federal Endangered Species Act - looks for partners throughout the state to protect endangered species, like the Mexican wolf. The New Mexico State Game Commission has been a partner to protect the Mexican wolf since 1999. Today's regular meeting, which for the first time this year was in Las Cruces, sought to gather public opinion to help guide the state's wolf protection policy. About 50 Mexican wolves are spread over New Mexico and Arizona. Dan Williams, public information officer for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish - a partner in coordinating the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program - said it was a "balanced" public comment session. "But we will no longer be participating in the Mexican Wolf reintroduction program," he said. "It's an argument that's been going on since 1999." June 30 will be last day the New Mexico Game and Fish Department participates in the program, he said. The sentiment expressed at the meeting was passionate. Read more
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