Gratitude Practice 2020 Day 2: The Democratic Process of Local Government
If someone had told me 20+ years ago, that I would work as a public servant I would have laughed out loud. If someone had told me 20+ years ago, that I would actually love and appreciate working for local government I would have laughed even harder. I don't know many people who spent their formative years dreaming of life as a city employee but there are somewhere around 2,600 people currently employed by Salt Lake City Corporation and today was what I like to call...New Boss Day. Woohoo!
The first Monday of January after an election is inauguration day and a whole new crop of city leaders are now officially in power. It happens like clockwork every two and four years and today was both beautiful and cold and complete with the expected amount of both pomp and circumstance. Just enough red, white and blue bunting were stretched ever so carefully across the second floor balcony to inspire both patriotism and a rousing internal chorus of "My Country Tis of Thee" from all in attendance. As people gathered there were lots of smiles and waves within the crowd. Lots of cheeks carefully kissed. Lots of backs generously slapped. And just as many selfies strategically snapped. Just enough nervous energy to keep your interest piqued but nothing so interesting to detract from the incredible political people watching. Then a quick tap tap of the portable microphone. A warm but overly formal welcome. A few swearing in ceremonies complete with hands placed on sacred books and arms raised up to the square. Then documents were quickly signed and then (insert drumroll here) a handful of swoony promise filled and yet somehow inspired speeches by our new fearless leaders (GULP). Waves of carefully timed applause followed. A few moments of respectful happy laughter were shared. And a collective sigh of hopeful relief that the grueling election season has finally concluded...well, at least for a season. And there you have it. WA LA. A successful transfer of power and a local city government working like a well oiled political machine. The event ends with the outgoing elected officials quietly exiting "the castle" steps and exhausted-ly returning to civilian life with what I can only imagine is a mixed bag of morose melancholy and exasperated relief. And then finally the newly elected leaders proudly and confidently assume their perch now bursting with power and optimistic influence like a keyed up gang of superhero preparing for battle. Ahhh….and so it goes. A new city council assembled. A new mayor at the helm. TA DA!
There is something both completely inspiring and completely hilarious about the whole process. Every two and four years this sacred political circus rolls back into town bearing lots of big promises and innovative initiatives and compelling changes all rooted in goodness and equity and citizen building and all distributed freely Iike big puffy sugary wads of drippy cotton candy shared by those brave souls willing to step-up and jump in and courageously lead for a season inside a grueling public arena. Each promise and new direction mostly shared in productive and constructive ways yet often containing the tiniest hint of smug superiority strategic yet judicious finger pointing at those who have most recently served. Some years your favorites become the new ring leaders and other years not so much. But somehow in the end and on most days everything seems to work out. And during the dark bleak moments of community building (and there are dark bleak moments) at least the big show is an interesting adventure. With each passing year and each passing leadership team I'm more convinced working as a public servant is like great big mixed bag of juicy circus peanuts... sometimes hot and greezy... and other times buttery and toasty and comfort filled…it ain't always healthy or glamorous or super exciting but it's our great big mixed bag of juicy circus peanuts and I'll take it everyday.
Overall...progress and change are always good for the city and for the soul no matter who is in charge. Oh bla de oh bla da. Life in Salt Lake City Corporation triumphantly marches on.
Today I am grateful to be a Salt Lake City Corporation employee. It felt comforting and inspiring to stand shoulder to shoulder in a sea of civil servants...really good really earnest really hard-working really hopeful and really dependable city employees knowing whomever is leading the charge in the end we've got each other's back. AND I am forever grateful for the brave, ambitious, idealistic, well-intended, hopeful yet have-to-be headstrong-while-hard-working people who choose to run for elected office. Together...the city lifers and the revolving door of publicly elected do-gooders somehow seem to keep it all working. It's a strange wonderful place to work and there is something to be said for the solidarity of public servants...how does that old song go again? …"My country tis' of thee ... sweet land of liberty... let freedom ring."