Message From The Mayor: New Council, New Challenges Ahead

The following is republished with permission from the city of Creve Coeur's May newsletter.

Congratulations to I share the confidence expressed by the voters and look forward to working with the entire City Council! 

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” A year ago (in my first mayoral column), I talked about the shoes I had to fill, and those that I had worn out. I have learned so much, including that the privilege of being mayor is not a destination, but rather an ongoing journey. 

Maintaining accessibility to all constituents, being available to address questions and concerns, as well as listening to and sharing ideas for continued excellence within our city were motivating factors for implementing my monthly “Coffee with the Mayor.” It is exciting to watch this program gain in popularity and substance. I am thrilled that key city staff and City Council representatives from all wards have embraced this opportunity to engage with our constituency—further evidence of the spirit of cooperation and desire to collaborate for the betterment of our community. 

Poignantly, when I recently participated in “The Leader in Me” program (and the 7 Habits of Happy Kids) with 3rd graders in Ms. Morrow’s class at Bellerive Elementary School, the focus that day was Habit 6–Synergize. As the whole school explained during an assembly, synergizing is the habit of creative cooperation, taking place when two or more people work together and succeed as one…how appropriate! On a much larger (and more professional) scope, it is my pleasure to invite the entire community to a citywide event on June 1 with Peter Kageyama called, “For the Love of Creve Coeur!” Peter is an internationally recognized expert on community development and grassroots engagement. His half-day workshop will explore the value of emotional engagement with our city, and how that connection is created and nurtured. 

The City Council accomplished so much in the past year with very important goals still ahead, including updating the city’s Comprehensive Plan (with an emphasis on continued protection of our residential neighborhoods), along with a thorough analysis of our budget surplus (with a focus on respectful stewardship of taxpayer dollars). 

Election to serve in an official capacity means the path ahead requires a great deal of effort, commitment and selflessness. Maybe, in fact, winning an election is a “tiny matter,” when thinking of the larger tasks which will confront us in the months and years to come. It is when we conduct our due diligence, examine all sides of an issue, and make educated, thoughtful decisions based on what we learn through the process, that we begin to understand what lies within us—the ability to preserve, protect and promote the integrity and quality of life which we all enjoy!