Guest Opinion
Steve Burkett

Recently a Sequim Gazette reader wrote a letter to the editor in which she posed some interesting questions regarding my plans for the city of Sequim. She also asked about my vision for Sequim, questioned the wisdom of some of my personnel decisions and finally asked “what makes Steve Burkett tick?” I appreciate the opportunity to answer these questions and to explain what motivates me and what I hope to accomplish for Sequim.

I thought seriously about these answers and although I cannot answer all of these questions in one guest column, perhaps I can follow up in the future with additional thoughts about the future of Sequim. By the way, I would be glad to have a cup of coffee with any Sequim resident to talk about my plans and to listen to their ideas regarding the future of the city.

I have been fortunate to serve seven different communities over my 40-year career in city governments. Five of those cities I have served as city manager and have been proud to leave a legacy of physical or organizational improvements that are still benefiting the communities.

I discovered my passion for public service early in life. Even in elementary school I had an interest in civic affairs and public policy. I was an avid reader of the daily newspaper and enjoyed following local and national events. I attended college at Western Washington in Bellingham during the 1960s and like many of my contemporaries I was inspired by President Kennedy’s stirring description of the intrinsic rewards of public service. About the same time I learned about a role in city government that sounded like a perfect match for my interest and education — the position of city manager. The position offered an opportunity of involvement in the management of a public organization, but for ethical reasons does not allow involvement in partisan politics or running for public office. I decided to concentrate my graduate courses in public administration and in 1969 I was fortunate to be selected for a city management internship position in Phoenix, Ariz.

I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work all of these years in such a rewarding community role. Few other jobs would provide me the opportunity to have a profound impact on the lives of thousands of people and to contribute to the long-term improvement and success of my community.

I learned early in my career that as a city manager I will be a target of criticism because what I do does matter and has an important impact on the community. Not everyone will agree with every decision that I make and in our democracy they have a responsibility to be involved in their city government and to express their opinion and criticism.

The author of the “what makes Steve tick” letter also questioned why I felt it was necessary to make changes in the leadership team of the city in order to accomplish my goals for Sequim. You may recall that from May 2008 until October 2009 Sequim had a series of interim city managers and had developed a perception in the state as a difficult city to manage. Frankly many of my city manager colleagues warned me about the significant challenges in Sequim. I did a lot of research on Sequim before I decided to apply for the position and concluded that although the city government was going through a difficult transition, the community is one with a great history of accomplishment, problem-solving and civic pride. I was optimistic about the opportunity to help Sequim through a significant transition from a small town to a small city with an increasing leadership role in the region, but I knew this would not be a status quo or caretaker role.

The ideal situation for a new leader in any organization, whether it is a city, a sports team, or a private sector for-profit organization, would be for the new leader to be able to articulate an inspiring vision and implement the required changes with the people who are currently in leadership positions. I would have preferred that situation since change is difficult for any organization. However, I also learned early in my career that as a leader I am only as effective as the people I work with. While it is easier and more comfortable to avoid changes and continue the status quo, it oftentimes is necessary to make changes in key leadership positions if you are serious about organizational improvement. These difficult decisions are rarely about technical experience, knowledge or qualifications but are more often related to management and leadership values including financial philosophy, communication styles, and a willingness or ability to implement a new vision or direction for the organization.

Quite often I enjoy learning from and take inspiration from history. One example is The Athenian oath. More than 2000, years ago this oath was recited by citizens of Athens as they became adults and took on the responsibility of citizenship.

“We will never bring disgrace on this our City by any act of dishonesty or cowardice.

We will fight for the ideals and the sacred things of the City both alone and with many.

We will revere and obey the City’s laws and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above us who are prone to annul them or set them naught.

We will strive increasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty.

Thus in all these ways, we will transmit this City, not only not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.”

I have quite often referred to this oath and consider it a timeless statement of our responsibility as citizens and for me as a partner in building our community.

Steve Burkett is the Sequim city manager.