The Man with the Plan

So, I'm a planner.

Seriously. I am a professional planner. I plan things - specifically, I plan the direction the city I live in and work for is going to go.

This means a couple of things. First off, it means that I have a vision for the community. This vision is informed by many different things, including by my professional education and training, by experiences both personally and gleaned from others, by state and federal laws, and by what has happened here in the past. The most important aspect of this vision, however, is input from the community I am supposed to represent. If my vision is just that of myself, in a dictatorial kind of way, imposed without thought or regard to the needs, wants, and desires of those I serve, not only is the vision inaccurate, but it is doomed to failure - like a plane without wings, it will never get off the ground. As it says in Proverbs, where there is no vision, the people perish.

The next most important thing, though, is communication. I have the opportunity to share what I have in my heart and in my mind with the community. The effectiveness of this communication is critical to the success of the plan - of any plan - in the way that an engine is vital to the propulsion of the plane. Just as with the wings, if there is no engine a plane will never achieve the heights it is intended to reach. Similarly, if I am unable to talk about what needs to be done, what the future can, may, and should look like in our community, there is no possibility of success. Effective communication requires me to actively seek out opportunities to share what I've learned from the experiences I've had. I look for people to learn from and to share the vision I've developed of the future in the hopes that people will buy in to what we are trying to build.

It is frustrating, then, when people do not share the vision. I have a unique talent and ability to look into the future and see what COULD be, rather than focus on what currently IS. I have often encountered great opposition from people - many of whom should really know better - who simply cannot see what potential there is and will not adjust their vision according to what could be. This happens for many reasons, all of which are certainly valid. But partially it is my fault for not communicating my vision more clearly, or in not being more inspiring. Because that's what the world needs is an inspiring, and inspired, leader. Someone who is able to get people to believe in themselves and in the possibilities that exist, rather than focus on the dreary and mundane.

How else can we succeed? What else are we working for? What do we want out of life, if not to live it better and more fully realized?

So, the work goes on. I continue to refine my technique and try to make myself more effective. I do not seek for my own benefit per se. I've never been one to seek the spotlight and want others to give me glory or praise. That comes of its own accord, when merited, or not at all. Either way, my performance is not affected by that.There is a job to be done, and the task remains mine. I embrace the challenge.

Rumor Mill

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the activity on Eagle Drive at I-10. If you have found your way here via a google search or from the City website, you're not alone. A lot of interest has been generated by the land clearing, but for now, that's all it is - the property owner is just clearing land. At this point, there is no  specific or even general plan regarding the development of this property. It is just land clearing.

To be clear, there is NO Kroger, HEB, CVS, Walgreen's, Bass Pro Shop, Cabela's, Academy, Starbucks, anything. There have been no plans submitted to the City for development of this parcel.

The owner of the parcel is looking to develop the property. He - and the City - have had conversations with many different folks, trying to generate interest in development in the City. We are still actively pursuing opportunities as they come available, and we are taking steps to help foster the business environment in the City (see previous posts about those steps). But, as I've noted in previous posts, there remain significant challenges to commercial development, and those challenges will take time to overcome.

In the mean time, please stay tuned! I love the interest that is being generated. If anyone has any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to call me (281) 576-2213 x 233, email (bcobabe@montbelvieu.net) or come by City Hall. I'm here almost all the time, and I'd love to help in any way I can.

Get out the vote!!!

I love this time of year.

I'm a bit of a political junkie, and I love the machinations of the political wrangling. I would never claim to be anything more than an interested observer, but I am interested. I've been trying to stay on top of the deluge of information that seems to flood the airways and through cyberspace... It's a lot. But it's also a lot of fun.

The following is a link that talks about how intricate and interesting the next forty-eight hours are going to be...

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/11/02/us/politics/paths-to-the-white-house.html

Stay tuned! It's going to be a great ride. :)