Jefferson Leadership Institute

The Jefferson Leadership Institute was formed by the Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce to foster the creation of leadership and encourage involvement within our community. Its purpose is to nurture a pool of talented and community minded individuals by exposing the participants to the many issues facing the community.

A recent post, IDA Successor, brought to light the possibility that the community might not be following through with the utilization of the developed individuals.

A couple of suggestions to the Chamber, which they might already be doing, but if not, they may want to think about it doing.

First, the chamber probably maintains a list of participants from the past classes; distribute the names of these individuals to various organizations throughout the community for consideration on their boards. Organizations such as; the Zoo, the YMCA, United Way, Samaritan Medical Center, DPAO, The Watertown Teen Center and so many more are always looking for people to take up their cause. Along with these organizations, the City of Watertown and Jefferson County make several appointments to various boards each year and they are always looking for people to participate and join community boards. A list of participants would serve as a potential pool to draw needed individuals from.

Secondly, graduates of the Jefferson Leadership Institute should advance their own desires. Request information from the Chamber on various boards in the community, find out what your desire and passion for serving the community is and then send a letter to the organizations that meet your desires, do not wait to be asked. There is a broad range of community boards that can fulfill your desires, even local political parties especially if you have a desire to run for public office.

If you want to serve your community, your help should be welcomed.

Memo: To The Mayor - Fix The Streets

Mayor you have done a good job bringing down the levy in recent years, no doubt a focus of yours while serving and accomplished in large part by Jefferson County passing the sales tax rate increase along with your diligence in negotiating the deal to get a piece of the action.

The fire department appears well equipped; at least the Chief drives a nice new vehicle every year.

The police department could use a little bit more especially in the troubled areas of town, a get tough on crime stance, but a stance like that is not your preference.

What really needs your attention are the streets of Watertown. They are deplorable! Forget about charging people for sidewalk replacements, they are city owned and should be replaced with street reconstruction. The city should set in place an aggressive plan to refurbish the streets and the sidewalks. People enjoy being able to walk down a nice well maintain street and sidewalk and it puts pride in the community.

The city property taxes are certainly much higher than the neighboring Town of Watertown; make sure residents are getting value for their tax dollars.

Mayor and City Council, it is time to step it up