Casting...

I heard just this evening that we have one new member of the Visalia City Council, Amy Shuklian. Congratulations, Amy! Bob Link has been reelected to serve another term, as well, but allow me to talk to Amy for just one minute.

First of all, I admire anyone who runs for our our local city council. It is a job without perks, very little in the way of pay and, I am sure, has its share of aggravation from people who don't agree with whatever position you happen to take. Those who take on this onerous task do so in what I believe was the spirit of our founding fathers, serving for love of community, not wealth, or a generous retirement package.

Still, I would like to see our council take on these initiatives:

Continue to support events that raise the profile of our great community. Whether a concert, conference, or fiesta, we need excuses to get out of our homes and meet with people who have similar interests.

Don't hire so many outside consultants to tell the arts community what they need to do to be effective. What they (we) need to do is do more of what we are doing, promote it better and help others uncover the riches that exist here. In a word, listen.

Don't take yourself too seriously. Amy, you are perfect for this job because you are an artist, an expert in the fine art of comedy and because you love this place! My concern is that you will be tempted to slow down growth, without realizing the implications of a slow, or no growth policy on jobs and businesses. I believe we should have the so-called, "smart growth" approach, to be sure, just don't get carried away.

Disclaimer: I am not a policy wonk of any kind, just a guy who needs to have an audience for his life and business, so keep that in mind.

Finally, whenever the going gets rough, Amy, remember the words of old Winston himself when he said, "Never give in — never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense."