Guest opinion: Burch issues thank you, reflections on term in office
I have finally had a moment to reflect on these past two years and our campaign efforts over the past several months. I would like to share some of those thoughts with you and, also, thank the many people, organizations, businesses and citizens that helped along the way.
I began my campaign for City Council two years ago with this statement:
“This could be the most difficult two years in the history of this City. I have been blessed to live here for 15 years, raise my family and enjoy success, and feel that I can be of service over the next two years.”
Neither I nor anyone else could have imagined that we would suffer the worst economic downturn in the history of this nation with the possible exception of the Great Depression. I had many questions when I came to Council and some of those were with regard to staff, management and operations.
As I began, I and others on Council asked serious questions and asked for difficult tasks to be fulfilled. Many of us questioned motives, abilities, procedures and everything connected with doing business as a governmental entity. Along the way, I also observed and listened so that there would be no “one way street” of thought and so that I could become the best Council person that I could, by maximizing my resources, understanding the process and understanding those 2,000 staff members that would be asked to be those resources and complete those processes. Further along the way, those 2,000 dwindled to 1,550, the budget was reduced from $170 million to $137 million as staff was asked to continue to provide the same services that were available at the height of the economy in 2006 and 2007 but in an economy that, saw, the city lose over half of its appraised value in 2008 and 2009.
As I traveled this journey, I realized that staff was always available and always willing to do whatever I asked. I also realized that a great deal of negative energy surrounded our city complex but that it did not enter the doors where our staff performed the business of providing public safety, health and welfare and that patience by all was a testament to their ability to withstand much unwarranted criticism, misdirected anger and proceed with the best interests of the city in mind. I also saw that their efficiency was at a level that yielded the lowest per capita cost to our citizens of operating this city since 2005.
As a team, we managed to bring the police building and the Charter High School out of the ground with amazing speed and unprecedented low cost, update our accounting and permitting software, be recognized as the top Parks and Recreation Department, convince FDOT to advance fund the Del Prado widening efforts so as to complete a year earlier and save and create jobs in this slow economy, to be recognized as the model for “Lean Government”, end seven years of negotiations and litigation with the draft agreement with DCA for the Zemel annexation and most proudly close the chapter on the Avatar rights transfer for the 600-plus acres of land they would never relinquish before and that many thought would never be possible. We are in the midst of studies for the feasibility of an Ice Rink, Swim Center and about ready to break ground on the Veterans Clinic. Through tireless efforts, staff has worked with me and others on Council to complete boat ramps, parks and repair the Chiquita Lock in an exemplary manner during a time that many thought and believed nothing could be accomplished. They have been the backbone of maintaining the quality of life for this city by cleaning up properties, maintaining our utilities, streets, medians, parks, canals and buildings and providing a safe (the second safest city in the state) and clean city under the most challenging circumstances ever. We have excelled in canal water siphoning techniques for fire fighting in areas without public water which has elevated our certification and ratings to reduce our liability costs.
I have seen the same commitment from the campaign staff and volunteers and the multitude of supporters this past many months. Once again, tireless and thankless efforts of never ending energy have been spent spreading our message, working throughout the city and constantly attempting to display the facts and figures of this past two years and our vision for the future. Many days, as my schedule of doing the business of the city filled up the calendar, the campaign coordinator and volunteers found a way to get things done without me or found a way to rearrange schedules so that I could participate. With my schedule, I understand the difficulty of those tasks and I thank all of you for your patience. I have often “preached” the importance of “taking the high road” and I have never had to repeat that to the campaign staff or volunteers as they have always understood that truth, honesty and integrity ultimately trumps blind ambition and allows one to sleep well at night and face your friends and loved ones on a daily basis.
As to the future: The good news is that we have weathered the worst of this economic storm and many indicators signal that we should be about to move into a recovery period. You should all (city staff, management, campaign staff and volunteers) be as proud as I am of you, that this city is poised to make the recovery that it deserves because we have not “folded up our tent” and instead found ways to maintain our quality of life for far less cost and staff than we could ever imagine. We have made difficult decisions and, sometimes unpopular ones that were necessary to maintain our quality of life and position us for recovery.
As I end this journey, this Monday night, I say “Thank You” to all for your unwavering dedication in the midst of difficult circumstances. I thank you for the expertise and the professionalism displayed in carrying out your duties, often times, in unpleasant environments. I make no mistake in combining my successes in these past two years with the efforts of all of you, because without those efforts mine would never reach the level expected of, or deserved, for this city.
You are truly a high-quality, qualified, professional and noteworthy team that worked tirelessly and without complaint and I applaud your abilities, patience and perseverance. In troubled moments that may come in the future remember who you are and how you have performed in the most difficult times that we have ever faced and may ever face in the future.
As many of you know, I have often said that “public servants” do not force themselves on the public but only ask for the opportunity to serve the public while “politicians” are always looking to be “serviced” and for the next political position . You also know that I am not fond of politics, only the honor and opportunity to be of service to the community. Always remember that when the “smoke clears” the “public servants” will prevail and the “politicians” will fade away and the long- term visions will always be realized.
I wish the new Council the vision to understand the difference and the ability to remain open minded so that they will “learn before they leap” and become our most successful Council ever because if they are successful then we are successful as a city.
I also believe that they will understand that “real” people occupy the positions within the city from top to bottom and it is them that make us successful and that they are our neighbors and friends shopping, working and playing in our city as a vital part of our community and local economy.
And finally I would like to thank all of the residents of Cape Coral and say that I have been honored to serve this great city and I am very proud to have accomplished many successes with many of the Council members. I am proud to have served alongside all of you and proud to call you my fellow city workers, citizens and friends. May God bless and protect you all and God bless the City of Cape Coral.
Jim Burch
Mayor and Council Member,
Cape Coral 2007-2009