The Power of Positive Government

by Barbara Bender, 9/21/11

All of the negative rhetoric and dealings of our Federal government has turned many of us off by and raised the level of cynicism toward all levels of government. With 24-hour media coverage, we are bombarded with all the negative things some politicians do which only helps to solidify the feeling that all government is bad.

At the local level, there are frequently many examples of negativity and contentiousness that makes us shake our heads.  Snellville has certainly had more than its share of headline grabbing silliness that has at times, made the City a laughingstock.  It is human nature that causes us to easily recall the bad times and makes it harder to remember the good times.  It seems that when things are going well, no one seems to notice and the media doesn’t report on it hence the old saying “No news is good news.”

In spite of all the negative news, there are many good things going on in Snellville, and some may have escaped your attention. Good things are happening because Snellville citizens elected positive, action-oriented people with the heart to do good things in the City.  When you elect respectful people with a shared vision, positive results will soon follow.

After the Council elected in November, 2009 was seated, Snellville went 19 months without a negative article in the newspaper– with one exception. (In 2011, a newspaper went back and reported on an incident that happened in 2008 in order to have something negative to print.) Of course, that streak was broken by my opponent’s disparaging and unfounded comments during a July City Council meeting.  So what was happening during these 19 months?

The City created and presented the community supported Towne Center at Snellville vision for the future.  This plan took a commitment of Council to vote for and support the process and engagement of the Community.  A model of the Towne Center vision is now on display at Snellville City Hall.

The Snellville Farmers Market was formed by a committee of hardworking volunteers, and two council members who were charged with creating a market at no cost to the City.  The Snellville Farmers Market has brought out more new volunteers than any event in the past 10 years.  It has brought back the sense of community that Snellville had lost during the years of infighting in the City government. The Snellville Farmer’s Market has not only become the place to be on Saturday mornings, it has brought national recognition to the City by being voted the #1 Farmers Market, not only in Georgia, but also east of the Mississippi.

The Snellville Tourism and Trade Association (STAT) was formed to promote events where citizens and friends can gather and have fun.  This organization has a board of extremely dedicated citizens and business leaders that have spent untold hours planning and putting on the Star Spangled Snellville, Fall Festival, Christmas Tree lighting and other events designed to bring people to down town.

The City Council also voted to invest in the City by adding an Economic Development Manager and provide funding to create programs and initiatives to retain existing businesses and attract new ones.  This investment is already paying off by creating a positive environment to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in the city while we are on our way to creating an entrepreneurial incubator within the city.  This is just one of many programs that are going on within this department.

This is the power of positive government.  It is the good that evolves when you have a diverse group of individuals with different backgrounds and experiences, who come together for a common vision. It is the good that blossoms when you have professional people who can debate and disagree on issues, without resorting to publicly disparaging those with whom they disagree. It is the good that comes when you have elected officials who represent the City in a positive manner at all times.

Unfortunately, it is this good news that never grabs the newspaper headlines or is even remembered three months from now. Citizens should not only seek this type of good news, they should demand it of their elected officials. And they should also recognize that they can play a part in helping or joining volunteers who are actually changing the negative to positive in their community.