Sometimes it appears that elected “public servants” and appointed or hired municipal employees are confused about who reports to whom? In this country, though it is not always apparent, these positions report to the citizenry they serve. Occasionally, though, things can go berserk as they did in Bell, CA!

Some time ago, we were in a mid-west town that has it right … they post their organizational  chart (who reports to whom) at the Website.

This municipality affirms that the “citizen” is paramount in the hierarchy; it is not the elected “public servant.” It is not the municipal staff. It is not the public safety personnel. Serving the needs of the citizenry is the only reason these elected and paid positions exist.

Empty buildings

One of the announced borough council candidates, Barry Ford, dealt with the abundance of “‘for sale/for rent’ signs and vacant buildings popping up in the 400 block of Locust Street” in a blog posting (Chchange in the 400 block) (sic) recently. There is a council committee that is charged with the responsibility of “community development.” According to the Borough Website, the Community Development Committee has this function:

“The Committee on Community Development shall, in conjunction with the Borough Manager and with other organizations, examine all possible alternatives to promote and foster economic and community development initiatives in the Borough of Columbia. The Committee shall strive to implement the Planning Commission’s Capital Improvement Program concentrating on the economic enhancements to the Borough. The Committee shall enhance the Borough’s ability to attract and support the growth of commerce and attend to all duties which may properly be referred to such Committee by Council and shall comply with all rules and procure the enforcement of all laws and ordinances affecting municipal form and procedure.”

A vibrant, inviting downtown business community is vital to the growth of any community. A key role of the Committee is to “attract and support the growth of commerce.”

The next announced meeting for the Committee on Community Development is slated for Tuesday, June 28 at 6:00 pm … interested citizens should make their voices heard. Area citizens and other business endeavors in Columbia need to have an attractive, vital, “store-front-filled” Locust Street and tributary streets … Columbia can make downtown revitalization a priority!