David's BlogWednesday, July 29, 2015Interacting Honorably There are seven
candidates seeking to become the next great Mayor of Duluth. Additionally,
there are fifteen candidates vying to become either Duluth City Councilors or
Duluth School District Board Members. These candidates will bring a robust array
of new interests, talents and goals to the political debate and to the
positions they seek. The candidates who are elected will have a profound
influence on how our beloved community moves forward.
The Chamber's leadership understands how the relationships we
develop with these candidates will be productive - if the relationships are
based on trust. Trust will be fostered if we enjoy a free exchange of ideas, an
interest in learning the rationale behind opposing positions, and the
understanding that we can remain respectful even while disagreeing with each
other.
We seek to advocate for our members by educating elected
officials regarding the challenges that our members face in their quest to
operate successful businesses in our beloved community. As elected officials
come to better understand the challenges businesses face, and the value
businesses bring to our community, they are more likely to made decisions that
are sensitive to, and appreciative of, these businesses.
Taking the time to understand an elected official's point of
view is a powerful means of establishing a trusting and sustainable
relationship. On those occasions we cannot agree, we must respectfully disagree
with the opposing position.
If these trusting relationships are established and maintained,
the Chamber will be able to have an influence on decisions made by our elected
officials. Ideally, we will be able to do so in an honorable manner.
The Chamber's commitment to influencing others with honor should
not be mistaken for a lack of conviction. We continue to advocate for our
members with all of our energy. We do so because we believe in the positive
impact that a healthy business community can have on our Zenith City.
We intend to serve as the voice of business well into the
future. We go forward realizing that our ability to influence decisions made by
our elected officials rests ultimately on the manner with which we conduct
ourselves.
In his book, The Art of Worldly Wisdom, Baltasar
Gracian states emphatically, "The sole advantage of power is that you can
do more good." The Chamber intends to continue engaging our 1,100 members,
and the resources at their command, to do even more good for our shining city
on the hill.
In support,
posted by David Ross
at
6:56 AM
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