Catoosa Vision

Vision without future...

... is just a nightmare.

In Catoosa County, as with all other communities, have two choices: let the future control us, or take control of our future.

One way or another, some version of a future will arrive. The only difference will be in whether or not that future is one of our own making or not.

"Preserving what we have," "keeping out growth and the problems associated with it (e.g. traffic, air problems, etc.)" are both statements of a vision that says: "We want to be tomorrow what we are today."

Well, that's just not possible. Change is inevitable. And we must adapt to change... nay, evolve with change, or the change will overwhelm us.

What Catoosa needs is a positive, constructive, forward-thinking (not regressive) vision of what our future could be. Once we as a community can embrace some vision, then we will be able to prioritize and evaluate the myriad paths in front of us in light of one controlling question:

"Does this decision/project move us at least one step closer to our stated vision?"

If the answer is no, and no matter how good or reasonable doing this apparently lateral project might seem, then the project is not justified since it does not fit in the long-term vision.

I was reminded today of a study that was conducted in our county a few years back. That study observed that Catoosa county lacks vision and leadership in order to take (and sustain) certain bold initiatives.

What the study said was that we need a White Knight... a Champion.

We need someone (or an entity) who recognizes the need to build teams, even with disparate points of view (in fact, welcome such alternate perspectives!).

We need someone who can see beyond oversimplified and incorrect political party stereotypes, and will not, therefore, become one him/herself.

We need someone who is willing to make tough decisions today that are essential for achieving a positive vision of the future.

We need someone who can sell us on striving for the future, rather than simply trying to conserve the past.

Who will be our White Knight?

posted by Chris Casey @ 1:00 PM