Friday, August 24, 2007

Quality Communities achieving High Performance

We all live either in Hamlets, Villages or Townships governed by local folks who want to make a difference and contribute to the society. The upstate part of New York is reported to be stagnant and struggling to compete with other growth regions. Our municipalities must find ways to control costs and deliver the services that tax payers need. With rising costs of energy, water, Labor and health benefits keeping the taxes low is an enormous challenge for the politicians. So what are the option?

I suggest that we seek high performance goals just like in private Industry. Better efficiency is possible if the leaders set the vision for Quality sustainable community and involve the citizen in this journey. Local examples at the Town of Brighton and Irondequoit will be worth watching. Both of these communities formed sustainable green task forces to get ideas for the future.

Fortunately, the NY State Government in Albany is encouraging energy cost reduction, Green design and promoting alternative energy sources. This sustainable development approach can be implemented with grant assistance anticipated from the NY State Quality or Sustainable community programs in near future.

Let us hope that other communities also follow the examples of Town of Brighton, Town of Irondequoit in our upstate New York area.

Ram