Dear Source:
Political arguing doesn't solve problems. Politics doesn't start and stop with our senators and governor. It's also taking place inside of government departments. What needs to change is the way we look at politics and problems. As community members we have all most likely been inside of one government department or another trying to get an issue resolved without positive results. Why we are encountering these results is the key to resolving them and making changes throughout this entire government.
How many commissioners really know what is going on in their departments down to the level of the employees? How many only take the word of management as to whether things are going good or bad? Do the employees have adequate support from management for direction and supervision? How many really have the proper equipment and tools for employees to work with that are up to the 21st century standard of business? How many are really involved to know what the entire department's problems truly consist of at every level? What are the exact structures and who are the exact management of all levels of these departments? How many are listening to what community members have to say about encounters inside of their departments? How many are accessible to the community to even make a complaint to? What are the exact processes of resolution can community members expect from these departments? How many commissioners really identify problems to the senate that they are having trouble resolving? Who evaluates the performances of commissioners, assistant commissioners and directors, and based on what? Why are the senate and governor letting anyone stay in any position when performance has not improved? Whose say so are they basing improvements on?
If one year, two years, etc., go by with the same management in power yet no improvement (seen by the community), the performance capabilities of all management levels should be questioned, not just the commissioners. Internal evaluations are not good enough. If any non-improving leaders exist, it serves no purpose to have them evaluate themselves or anyone else under them.
We as community members need to demand thorough in-depth evaluations take place as to why any department has not improved its performance. We need to demand answers in detail. Evaluations of government need to be taken from a complete business perspective.
The commissioners, senators, and governor should be able to have answers down to the minutest level as to why any department is not properly functioning or improving. The blame game is not a viable excuse ever. Any leader of any status that uses the blame game under pressure should go out the door. If the actions of any other person are hindering their performance, they should have had the integrity to bring that as a problem to the forefront to begin with. No politician or political associations will ever be able to solve problems until more detail comes to light from the lowest levels of government. Until we reach this point of baring all, we will never be able to solve all.
Carol Berry
St. Thomas
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