Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Emily Colón, Deputy City Manager for the City of Lakeland, FL. Connect with Emily on LinkedIn.
- What I’m reading: “Career Forward: Strategies from Women Who’ve Made It” by Grace Puma and Christiana Smith Shi
- What I’m listening to: Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce podcast
- What I’m working on: Adjusting our Strategic Planning Process framework.
In a world where every news cycle feels like a political bloodsport and political party lines are as sharply drawn as the edges of a dollar bill, public servants at the local level have a unique superpower: nonpartisanship. And here’s the thing — in local governments, we’ve got roads to fix, zoning ordinances to debate, and community events to organize — none of which are improved by partisan infighting.
The challenge? Staying true to the purpose of local government in a time when the national (and even state) conversation seems to demand that every person choose a side. The secret to surviving this minefield? Embrace your role as the neutral party — and wear it like a badge of honor.
- Local Government’s Superpower: Staying Focused on What Really Matters
While Washington debates about tax cuts and stimulus checks, local governments are out there doing the work that directly impacts people’s daily lives — whether that’s making sure the lights turn on or making sure trash is picked up. At the local level, the problems we face aren’t red or blue — they’re human. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Democrat or Republican or even an independent.
- The Political Virus: How State and National Battles Infect Local Government
If you’re reading this and wondering, “But it’s hard to avoid all the political noise when it’s everywhere,” you’re not wrong. National politics is everywhere, from the TV to social media and beyond. But when partisanship creeps into local government, it’s like a virus — suddenly, everyone’s got an opinion on things that don’t need an opinion.
Staying nonpartisan isn’t about ignoring the broader political landscape — it’s about choosing not to bring that unnecessary drama into your work. In a sense, local governments are like the pilots of a plane during turbulence — everyone else is panicking, but they’re calmly doing their job, keeping things on course, and making sure everything lands smoothly.
- How to Keep Your Nonpartisan Energy
Now that we’ve established the need for nonpartisan leadership, how can you actually make it happen? It’s one thing to know it’s important, but how do you actually keep your cool in such a polarized world? Here’s how:
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- Listen, Collaborate, Repeat: The foundation of public administration is listening to everyone, no matter their party affiliation. Whether you’re debating a new park or discussing traffic light timings, keep your focus on the solution.
- Focus on Solutions, Not Soundbites: Politics today is full of soundbites, slogans, and tweet-sized arguments. But when it comes to local issues, the solutions are often more nuanced — and far less flashy. As much as social media commentary from citizens might love a fight (or try to make things political), we know they love a road that’s in good shape more.
- Set Clear Boundaries: Make it known that your focus is on community first. Set expectations that city hall will remain a neutral space, prioritizing professional public administration.
- Walking the Fine Line
Let’s be real: It’s impossible to avoid politics entirely in today’s world. But you can stay informed without letting it dictate your approach. You need to walk the fine line between staying in touch with national (and state) trends without getting swallowed up by them. Watch the news, read the latest articles, but don’t let yourself get bogged down in the endless cycle of partisan battles. The goal is to take the best ideas from both sides and use them for the betterment of your community. It’s not about winning a fight —i t’s about winning a better quality of life for your citizens.
- The Bottom Line: Local Government is the Calm in the Political Storm
At the end of the day, your job as a local government official is simple: Serve the people. Whether your citizens are on the left, right, or somewhere in between, they all want the same thing — practical, thoughtful solutions that improve their daily lives. Local government should be the last place where party lines are drawn.
Remember that you’re in a position to be the calm in the storm. You get to show that local government can be a place of collaboration and common sense.
Conclusion
Local government should be a refuge from the chaos of partisan politics. So, the next time someone tries to drag you into the fray of state or federal partisanship, just remember: Your job is to focus on what matters most. Fix those potholes. Balance the budget. Did I mention to make sure everyone gets their trash picked up? Keep the political noise at bay and stick to what your community needs.