MAYOR’S BEAT | What the City of Langley needs in its future mayor

By FRED McCARTHY Many people have come up to me, thanked me for my service, and asked me which of the candidates I am endorsing for the position of mayor for the next four years. The response I have given so far is that I have always believed in and worked at picking the very best person for each open position. In my brief three-year experience I have found for myself four important qualities for mayoral success in Langley.

September 11, 2015 6:15 pm

By FRED McCARTHY

Mayor of Langley

Many people have come up to me, thanked me for my service, and asked me which of the candidates I am endorsing for the  position of mayor for the next four years. The response I have given so far is that I have always believed in and worked at picking the very best person for each open position. In my brief three-year experience I have found for myself four important qualities for mayoral success in Langley.

1. High standards and expectations for quality and for employee performance and citizen involvement. For us this involved creating operating principles for internal operations and customer service. Who has a track record of setting high standards, creating a positive work environment, holding people accountable, and mentoring and affirming the work of others to high standards?

2. Keeping your head while others are losing theirs. Who will keep their head when the conflicts emerge, being patient, thoughtful, and listening carefully to all input before deciding the action to take? Who will do the right thing when difficult and unpopular decisions need to be made? Who has the maturity to accept better ideas from others no matter what their station or point of view?

3. Listening first to understand and then, after knowing the views of others and their reasons, speaking clearly and concisely to be understood. Who is interested in getting all of the facts before they take a position on an issue? Who does their homework as opposed to operating off emotion and coming up with simple answers to complex problems?

4. Recognizing, affirming, and appreciating the contributions of others that move the city towards its vision, mission, and goals. Charles Schwab, CEO of Schwab Investments, once said, “I have never known a person, no matter how lofty their position, that didn’t do better work in an atmosphere of praise rather than one of criticism.” Who will focus on the positive and catching people doing things right? Who will enjoy putting light in people’s faces for their long hours of work and contribution?

Each citizen has their own personal list of desired qualities for the next mayor of Langley. What’s on your list?

Respectfully,

Fred