It’s been just over seven months since the six newest members of Springfield’s City Council were sworn in and much of that time has involved intensive learning while doing.  Twenty minutes after the swearing-in ceremony, we were deep into an overview of the City budget, the budgeting process, and the constraints we were facing in finalizing the budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

    Since that time, we on Council have been dealing with one of the largest pension shortfalls in the country, with the largest proposed commercial development in the history of Springfield, with the unending dispute between social services and commercial interests, with the definition of urban gardens, and with multiple other budgetary, zoning, and philosophical issues that—in comparison appear minor—but are of utmost importance to different individuals and neighborhoods within our city.

    In addition, we have had numerous committee meetings and special appearances throughout the city.  While the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem generally handle most of the ceremonial presentations, there are times when they are unavailable and the other Council members step up.  For example, I’ve presented Mayoral proclamations to the Southwest Missouri Square and Round Dancing Association, the Jim Beam Bottle Collectors Guild, the Springfield Regional Opera, and the 40^th Anniversary of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.  And at each one of these, I’ve met and learned about interesting people and projects.

    In October, Springfield hosted a group from our sister city in Tlaquepaque, Mexico.  This group included a mariachi group made up of young women as well as the mayor, the city attorney, the director of planning, and members of the Sister Cities program. 

    At the final banquet, I was privileged to greet the group on behalf of the City and did so in my rudimentary Spanish.  It was really strange to have to stop and listen to the translator repeat my words in English for those who didn’t speak Spanish.  However, everyone was kind and didn’t laugh and, as far as I know, I didn’t create any international incidents by using the wrong words.

    One of the most difficult questions that I receive is “Are you having any fun?”  I can’t honestly say that it’s all been fun, given the nature and magnitude of the pension issue or any of the other issues that face Springfield.  However, I can say that it’s been fascinating to learn about new aspects of our hometown and to meet new people with a variety of interests.

    I plan to post about an entry a week on this blog site. I will try to give folks an idea about the range of topics that City Council deals with—the frustrations, the fun, and the improvements—and how we arrived at some of the decisions we did.

    Keep in mind that I am only one of nine members on City Council—we’ve already proven we are not in agreement on every issue.  They have their own opinions and conclusions.  Because of Sunshine Law restrictions, I will not be able to edit and publish comments from readers; however, I do welcome them.