Power, individuals and business

There is a direct relationship among power, money, choice and individual action. Money allows a greater range of choices. At the same time, power whether apparent or actual, is often beholden to the money which puts the individual wielding it in position. In business, we are often caught in the middle. Those in power are very concerned about losing it, yet business does not necessarily have the votes needed to make or prevent change. So what does business use? Money. Unfortunately, small business, which represents the largest area of job creation in the US often does not have available cash to throw at the issues or individuals in power. Thus, we become stuck between a rock (the government), a hard place (big business) and a pending earthquake (the volatile, entitled electorate which votes for privileges and entitlements before it will reduce its own standards of living).
Ironically, we compensate individuals which generate nothing of concrete value (professional athletes, government officials, actors, models, corporate executives, etc. . .) but simply produce discussion or entertainment, far more highly than those who create lasting advances in education, health, science, technology, the arts or culture. There are of course exceptions to this rule but by in large it is the norm.
What is more troubling is that unlike the time of the founding fathers, we do not attract the brightest minds to government. We attract and retain stable, workers who do not innovate but simply maintain the status quo. Isn't that because 200 years ago, none of the founders were actually paid to be part of the legislature? When did becoming a legislator become a full time job? Do we really need that? Perhaps I am frustrated because most of the work I do for the Chamber with government officials and staff is done for free! I believe in citizens being responsible for their own government. So next time you wonder why you have fewer choices, perhaps you ought to look more closely at your own finances, engagement in civic duty and power you have accumulated.

Touring City Facilities

Today I had the opportunity to tour a set of City facilities: lifeguard tower, police station & jail, new under construction fire station and the key water treatment/storage reservoir. Fascinating. All too often in our businesses we don't know how services are delivered and simply take them for granted, like turning on the tap. This is particularly true in Southern California where water is becoming more and more a premium. Another interesting fact is that this tour was unusual because Cities no longer want people to know how infrastructure is routed and organized. Since 9/11 we have become increasingly concerned about the possibilities of terrorism and disruptive action. As businesses and individuals we should be prepared for some level of "Black Swan" type event. Can't we all have a few cases of bottled water on hand? Shouldn't we all have an emergency kit ready for action? I know it seems odd, but it only takes minutes for the world to change and a tiny bit of preparedness may go a long way when the unexpected happens. How is your business ready for the unexpected? Also, for the record - no, this is not the water treatment facility here in Seal Beach.

Equality

The only stable state is the one in which all men are equal before the law. - Aristotle

Why are so many people threatened by those they view as "others?" I just finished a comment on a blog about the Los Alamitos Unified School District's decision not to broadcast President Obama's televised message to school children. (You can see the article and my post here http://sealbeachdaily.com/2009/09/07/los-alamitos-unified-district-schools-wont-carry-president-obamas-speech-live/ )Quite simply I am appalled. The idea that any sitting president should be dismissed because a vocal conservative minority are afraid of the spoken word is deeply chilling. By the same token, why do so many people feel a visceral fear about my partner of 9 years and I getting married? How does it affect their life or marriage? It certainly doesn't affect their personal relationship with God or their children. If it does, then I have way more power than I thought! Let us all remember that we are all equal and a "separate but equal" drinking fountain didn't work in the 60's so why should a "separate but equal" marriage (aka - civil union) work now?

Also, the picture inspired me - it is Aristotle walking with Plato (two of my favorite philosophers) engaged in what I believe is a true moment of the dialectic. Let's all try to get there and to not be afraid of equality or uncertainty.

Winds of Change & Bunnies

It is nice to observe when something "right" happens in town. Monday night, City Council voted 3-2, yes for business. They let a small Japanese sushi restaurant open after months of Planning Commission and City Council hearings. It also seems that there is room for progress in our town. In other news, the City apparently has a bunny problem - seriously. There was two hours of public testimony about rabbit over population in Leisure World and there were residents very concerned about it on both sides. What was interesting was that you got to see the democratic process at work - a concern brought to the fore to government by consistituents. What we all need to remember is that there is a process. If there had been an agenda item, City Council could have taken an action.

So remember with government - get agenzied first! Then have a call to action.

Conflict & Crabs

I serve on several boards.  It is a joy of service and a belief in the obligation and ability of business owners to affect our communities that I do so.  What amazes me about the role I play is how by being vocal in a community for anything makes you a target for others.

One of the stories I heard growing up near a beach is the one about crabs in a bucket.  If you place several "scuttler" crabs in a bucket, they take a few minutes to understand the environment they are in, they fight a bit, then one gets the bright idea to get out of the bucket.  The other crabs rush over and pull it back down to the sand.  Why does this occur?  I am not sure of the biologist's reason, but the moral of the story from my parents was one about getting ahead - that many people we encounter will try to pull you back to the base level if you demonstrate you are "getting ahead."  This is especially true in the world of non-profits.  As you build emotional volume, more people both take notice and take note of how to target you.  I already knew this in the world of gay rights and advocacy, but I was surprised about how similar it is in advocating for business in a small town.  A friend and fellow board member shared some concerns yesterday with an op-ed piece I had written.  One which was highly critical of our City Council.  I left the conversation both concerned and a bit upset - she was critical of me and my use of first person when all the other pieces I had written were first person as well, but now I was "speaking for the Chamber."  Apparently quite a sin.  We will see what the repercussions of it are and how many people show up for the Council meeting on Monday night.

Local government & business

Last night I again spoke to council about the state of business, the economy and the need for the City to help small business. The focus of economic development has been lost by our City. I even had a memo which I sent to Council and Staff tonight. IT WAS NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED by Council. There was NO discussion. Instead, Councilman Miller got to continue to pound the City Staff about how mileage is reimbursed for staff and councilmen. They are talking about pennies, when we in the business community need help! Our economy is losing millions - just in our City. We are discussing the housing element - how affordable housing can exist in our community and other items (including the police response to the coyote situation!), but we cannot get attention focused on the business community. I am deeply angered and frustrated that we are simply ignored by our community leaders. As a result, I am asking for business owners and residents who care to show up for next council meeting, and for all of us who are able to DEMAND why the Council is not paying attention to one of the greatest assets and group of constituents in our community - business. Please place it on your calendar NOW - Monday March 23rd at 7 pm. Let us work the democratic process in our favor for once!

In God We Trust?

Tonight at City Council, I as always advocated for business. We acknowledged fires, 25 years of service for a pastor, the Girl Scout troops (and a center for Girl Scouts which had a $1 a year lease renewed for 10 years), the Tennis Center operator and a MADD award for a police officer with many drunk driving arrests. All wonderful things, but nothing was said of the concerns I brought up about the business community. Again.

The thing which actually was commented on most by the public was the potential addition of the phrase "In God We Trust" to Council chambers. Of six speakers, only one was in favor of the proposal, 4 against and two opted not to comment (myself included - though I feel quite strongly opposed to it). Amazingly, the Council seemed to ignore public comment and passed it 5 to 0. I was shocked. Then I reflected, should I really be shocked? We live in a society which likes to acknowledge "safe" things - Girl Scouts, the response of the Fire Department and arrests of drunks, but to really examine the foundations of what our City is based on, our elected officials just blithely prosteletize about how "wonderful and appropriate" the motto is. Why do we live in a culture where the baby-boomer feels that as long as they "bless" it, it must be good?

The Power of the People - Building Consensus

Today I have the opportunity to make a difference by leading business through the Chamber of Commerce. Last night I testified in front of the Planning Commission and finally helped resolve the parking issue at Seal Beach Center. What a feeling of satisfaction that a political and planning problem finally got fixed (at least for the short term) last night. Later, I worked with Mike L. and his wife as they tried to bring in a new Vietnamese restaurant. Thankfully the effort worked and I believe they can live witht the conditions of the CUP with very extended and negotiated in-lieu parking fees.

I have to say that working with the Planning Commission is a pleasure - they really are trying to help business. I was particularly pleased by the Chairman's recognition that during these economic times, business needs help and the City should be ready and willing to do so. It finally shows me that we are making progress.

Politics, Parking and Business

Parking, like traffic is a constant concern, not only in large cities, but also in small towns like Seal Beach.  One of the things that Seal Beach has going for it is non-metered 2 hour parking on Main Street.  This certainly is convenient for shoppers in our town.  However, parking can be a limiting factor when zoning codes run up against business centers - like in the Seal Beach Center.  Long story short: the Zoning Code is under referendum. The parking spaces were miscalculated for the Center.  Any change in the Code for shared parking is prohibited for 12 months.  So pretty much the vacancies can't be filled in the entire shopping center.

This code problem and the decisions of City Council have created ripple effects which are only just now being felt.  This is true for many things in business - the socio-economic & political environments dramatically affect business in ways which can never be fully anticipated.  This will be true for Proposition 8 as well.  All we can do as leaders in the business community is to lead by example and to provide as much support as possible.