County Council should Look Ahead

By Greg Wilson

Editor/Publisher, Anderson Observer

     Mention Anderson County Council tomorrow at work or at lunch with friends and you will likely be met with a roll of the eyes or smirk, sometimes accompanied by the shaking of a head. The past year or so has been one of constant turmoil, no doubt.Greg Wilson, Editor/Publicher

     The tumultuous departure of a long-time administrator and an election changed many of the faces who now lead county government.

     Such change generally offers opportunities to surge forward, to aggressively plan and take action on those things which will help the county shake off the dust of controversy which seems to still hang in the air, even as 2009 races toward fall.

     There have been some bright spots. The hiring of Rusty Burns, a long-time Anderson leader with a solid grasp of the issues, as interim county administrator was a good call. Those of us who have known him, believe that he has a tremendous amount to offer in that position and we hold out hopes he might be offered - and actually consider accepting - the position full time. He is in the perfect position of being local, being eminently qualified and not really needing the job. Can you say ideal public servant?

     But there is a central philosophical concept which needs to be addressed for even a strong leader to take Anderson County forward. Somehow, some way, Anderson County's elected officials have got to find a way to leave the past behind. The obsession with putting a microscope on what has gone on in recent years needs to end. The proposal approving more funds to pay investigators will hopefully be among the last of its kind.

     It is time to take the spotlight off of whatever has gone before, good or bad, to let go of whatever emotional hangover that is left and move on.

     The leadership is in place. We have a largely experienced council, none of whom are reticent to express their positions, which can be a good and healthy thing. Each of these men and women bring something to the table, and were elected by folks who believe they can provide leadership the county needs. The time has come for each county council to remember this charge. Leaders lead.

     It is not really that things are bad, at least yet. Despite the catcalls of critics, Anderson County is not a laughingstock, it is a place many of the other counties in the state visit to see how we do things here because we do them well. No reason to believe this will not continue. Many of those on council have visions and ideas which would accomplish this goal.

      Since the passage of Home Rule in 1975, Anderson County government - even with its bumps in the road - has progressed far beyond many of the other counties in the state because we seemed to have elected passionate leaders.

      The current council is no exception. Love them or hate them, you have to admit they are a passionate bunch. But the time has come to refocus that passion on innovative and forward-thinking leadership and finally let go of the past. Maybe before the leaves change.

Anderson Cares, and That's Good

     At least 500 citizens packed into the Anderson County Library Monday night to hear the results of a Strom Thurmond Instute story on options for reforming Anderson County Schools. (Story here). The Anderson County Board of Education members, the superintendents of the school districts and school trustees, all had to find something good in a room full of their neighbors taking time away from their families the night before schools start to take part in discussion of the future of education in our county.

     There were no big surprises. If you read our story last month, you knew most of what was presented at the meeting. There were the same tensions between the powers that be that have existed for a long time. But there was tension and drama and passion, and those who seemed to mistake the meeting as a soap box for their own agendas, but in end the end no vote on anything. But it was a good community moment, folks coming out on a Monday night to express their opinion or to sit and gather information about our schools. All good.

     No matter where you come down on the particulars - and there were enough hoots, groans and a few cat calls as the night went on - in the end there seemed to be a strong sense of willingness to at least begin to cooperate across district lines by folks who have devoted their lives to education.

     So a tip of the hat to everyone in the room last night for coming out. One more thing that makes our community a special place. (Oh, and there's a county council meeting tonight....)

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