Today’s Morning Buzz is by Jackie Wehmeyer, Senior Director of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Parkland, FL, and proud member of ELGL’s Board of Directors. Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn.
- What I’m cooking: Bobby Flay’s 12-layer potatoes with caramelized shallots and truffle oil.
- What I’m (anticipating) watching: By the time this is published, it may be here… finally, Season 2 of “Severance” on Apple TV+!
- What I’m working on: Selling a used green fire truck, lovingly known in our community as “The Pickle” — in good condition, inquire within.
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” — John F. Kennedy.
A recent article regarding the unique charm of one of our newer parks sparked some conversation with my colleagues.
We remembered the well-publicized public outreach meetings the city held as the park was planned and designed and the group (20) of very vocal, irate residents (population 37,365) who attended. Issues ranging from parking to traffic to visibility of homes were hurled at staff like darts, and they insisted the park should not be built at all. After listening to and considering the residents’ input, the park project continued, undaunted, until it was complete. Now, just a few short years later, the park is enjoyed by local residents, including the previously irate, and apparently inspired an article regarding its peaceful ambiance.
How many of us in local government experience these types of memories when reflecting on community successes? Projects that a handful of people didn’t want or things people thought would ruin the community not only turned out great but also enriched the community.
Sometimes a small group of naysayers can have a disproportionate amount of flex in local government decision-making. These folks are usually quite vocal about their concerns. While that passion can come from a good place, it doesn’t always reflect most of the community’s thoughts. As a result, meaningful projects and initiatives can get stuck in the mud.
Naysayers often express worries about changes they believe could disrupt their way of life or lower property values. While it’s essential to consider those feelings, it can sometimes feel like their fears overshadow the enthusiasm of people ready for positive change. Think about projects like that new park or a new school — the loudest voices in the room often belong to those who are hesitant or outright opposed. At the same time, the support from the majority goes unnoticed.
What makes this situation tricky is how our elected officials and staff handle the loudest voices during meetings. Public forums can easily become battlegrounds where only the opposition is seen and heard. This dynamic creates an odd scenario where decision-makers feel pressure to cater to the squeaky wheels, leaving many community members who are excited about change feeling sidelined.
Social media only amplifies this issue. A single negative post about a proposed initiative can quickly spread, building up momentum for the naysayers and discouraging those who might support the idea from speaking up. The fear of being on the receiving end of criticism can keep many people quiet, further skewing the perception of what the community actually wants.
Continuing to find ways to engage the community can help. Besides public outreach meetings, surveys, online forms, or small group discussions to hear from the public can help create a wider audience. Remember that hearing negative feedback helps us shape ideas and avoid issues we didn’t anticipate, so that needs to be encouraged.
Transparency plays a key role here, too. When residents understand the reasons behind decisions and know their feedback is genuinely valued, they’re more likely to feel included in the process. Sharing success stories from other communities that took a leap and saw it pay off can also help ease fears and inspire confidence.
To quote my colleague, who shall remain nameless but knows who he is, the feedback we receive later, after success, is a reminder that the end game is usually something good, and the process is almost always sticky, awkward, and ugly. Some don’t want change. The key is to change in a way that is becoming the character of our city, and in every circumstance, the biggest obstacles are the fears of a few, which are always contagious.
At the end of the day, local government should reflect the community it serves. It’s necessary to listen to everyone, including naysayers, but it’s equally important to ensure that vocal opposition doesn’t drown out the hopes and dreams of the majority.