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The Trees and the Forest

By Jeff Jobe, Community Publisher Barren County Progress JPI

Whether growing a business or a community, leadership must understand the challenges facing all parts of the operation but not lose sight of the big picture.

Those who work on the front lines often think executives have their heads in the clouds, too far removed to do much good. Management often sees new employees as having their heads buried in the weeds, not willing to understand their challenges.

What if they’re both right? I believe the truth is both perspectives are essential to success. If leadership only focuses on the big picture and employees spend their time reacting to day-to-day issues, the company will suffer.

As a community publisher, I have come to the conclusion that this is the relationship taxpayers have with government.

Our taxes are going up, there is always talk of another new tax, and all we see is fighting over special interest projects or paying for a new study.

We need taxes to provide a good quality of life, we need new projects, and of course, we need to pay for a study from time to time. True leadership will assure the time and place for new projects and if or when tax dollars are used for them or the next study.

Without a doubt, the most immediate need facing our small town is maintaining the quality of family life.

Glasgow has a city pool that has been held political hostage by elected officials refusing to work together.  Anyone paying attention over the past four years will recognize the childish attitudes of: “If you won’t build my water park, amphitheater, or farmers market, then I won’t support you fixing the pool.”

Our children will continue to suffer if not addressed now!

Last summer, we watched as the Glasgow High School Baseball Stadium burned to the ground and last week’s first open meetings of 2023 proved it, too, has found a place on the back burner.

These two issues are a priority, and taxpayers are not at all wrong to expect immediate action. Yet, we must understand that these are two separate entities and have two separate tax bases to pull from.

It is the responsibility of the Glasgow City Council to fix the pool and the Glasgow School Board to provide for their baseball teams.

It is only natural to assume that if the school board can build a $1M softball field and can pay their former Superintendent $142k more than legally permitted, then they have plenty of money.

Neither is bashful when time to raise taxes, so we shouldn’t be timid about saying, “We want the best for our kids.”

Both have received money beyond imaginable from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act; and have been spending like drunken sailors. These projects could very well serve as memorials to a very difficult time.

Oh my, I have an idea! Why not a plaque honoring the businesses and families who suffered during the Covid pandemic instead of another pompous name or bonuses for those who got paid to stay home?

We need the Mayor of Glasgow and the Superintendent of Glasgow Schools to rally their boards to make it happen.

Jeff Jobe is founder and CEO of Jobe Publishing, Inc. His commentary reflects his personal views and does not reflect the views of personal or professional associations and affiliations. Reach him at jobe@jobeinc.com. Read his previously published commentary at www.sckentucky.com

 

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