For clarity – and because it matters – I want to reiterate something I said at the council meeting.

Our employees show up every day to serve this city. They answer calls. Repair roads. Respond to emergencies. Process permits. Manage finances. Maintain parks. Keep Margaret functioning.

When they operate within a clear chain of command and defined responsibilities, the city operates effectively. When that structure is disrupted, morale suffers. Progress slows. Confusion increases.

Margaret operates under a mayor–council form of government for a reason.

The Council legislates and sets policy and the financial policy.
The Mayor executes and administers, running the day to day operations.

When those lines blur – whether by directing or disciplining staff outside the chain of command, revising operational decisions outside the process, inserting politics into personnel matters, or creating uncertainty around spending – it doesn’t create oversight.

It creates instability, and instability costs time and taxpayer money.

Last night’s meeting demonstrated exactly why discipline in governance matters. Council meetings are not political theater. They are working sessions for the people. Every item discussed should answer one question:

Does this make life better for the citizens of Margaret?

If that answer isn’t clear, we should pause.

Here are the standards I believe every agenda item must meet:

• Does it improve public safety?
• Does it strengthen infrastructure?
• Is it fiscally responsible?
• Is it properly noticed and process-driven?

When meetings devolve into false accusations, surprise motions, procedural maneuvering, or personality conflicts, it doesn’t hurt me.

It hurts the city.
It hurts employee morale.
It delays progress.

There’s a line from history – “Et tu, Brute?” – spoken at a moment when loyalty gave way to ambition. But this isn’t about loyalty to a person. It’s about responsibility to a community.

I keep these reminders on my desk because there is nothing new under the sun.
When ambition outweighs duty, history records the consequences.
Those who study it are rarely caught off guard.

Ego cannot pave roads.
Ego cannot fund a fire station.
Ego cannot build trust.

What builds trust is steady, disciplined leadership.

That’s why we are rebuilding structure – one step at a time:

• Standard operating procedures

• Job Descriptions

• Clear reporting structures

• Budget accountability

• Long-term infrastructure planning

We are also actively pursuing outside funding – including current grant applications for park improvements – because responsible stewardship positions us for larger investment.

Progress in government isn’t flashy.

It is methodical.
It is procedural.
It is disciplined.

My commitment remains simple:

Protect the structure.
Protect our staff and resources.
Protect taxpayers.

Margaret voted for progress and steady leadership.

That is what they will get.

Now let’s move forward – the right way.