The Athenian Oath

The longer I serve in my profession the more I think H.L. Menken was right: “Democracy is the art of running the circus from inside the monkey cage.”

I’m often asked why I chose public service as my profession. After all, with so many careers to choose from why pick one where you are guaranteed to be a target for criticism because everything you do is done in a fishbowl whose tank is only half full (or half empty depending upon your political persuasion).

At most businesses mistakes are a matter between you and your boss. Make a mistake in my job and it’s a matter of public record that is splashed in tomorrow’s headlines for everyone to enjoy. That’s the price you pay when you’ve got 27,000 bosses who no matter how hard you try will likely be aggravated with you at one time or another for something you did or didn’t do. And in case you forget, they’re always ready to remind you who pays your salary.

I poke fun because that’s how city managers maintain some semblance of sanity. There’s a fine line between having thick skin and being callous and city managers have to walk that tight rope while juggling a flaming torch, a sword, and a bowling ball – and did I mention they’re riding a unicycle blindfolded.

Alright so the blindfold may be stretching it but you get the idea.

So why do it? The truth is few jobs provide the opportunity that my job does to have a profound impact on the lives of thousands of people. These impacts form lasting impressions that over time come to define us – they become a statement of who we are, what we do and what is important to us – they’re our legacy.

Sure, in the daily grind a city manager’s life can be tiring but I’m propelled by the prospect of the legacy that I’m contributing to and I understand that legacy building is hard work that is rarely appreciated or rewarded until years later – if ever at all. But you don’t do legacy work with the expectation of immediate gratification. Legacies are measured in lifetimes.

Legacy building is the masonry work of communities – laying the foundation of tomorrow brick-by-brick, day after day, from the bottom up. It’s the physical expression of the values of the people that saw the potential in the place they live to become something great someday.

That’s what government service is all about – cultivating community potential, one person at a time. It’s living up to a promise to be there when people need us. A promise that parks and homes are safe, bridges strong and fires prevented. Making sure people thrive.

Legacies speak the language of possibilities; they point to the organization’s true north; anchor its service philosophy; and represent a standard to live by everyday … for a better tomorrow.

It’s a recognition that every little step counts. No matter how big or small, each one is another dot to add to the community canvass that over time becomes a part of our Kent mosaic.

Across the distance of time the collection of dots transform into something bigger than the space they occupy, something more than the sum of their parts, something worthy of a place to call home.

A place like Kent where legacy matters.

The Greeks had it right when they had every citizen took the Athenian Oath. I use it to keep from forgetting why I do what I do. I hope you’ll also use it to be sure you’re contributing to the Kent legacy in a way that you will be proud to tell your grand-children about decades from now.

The Athenian Oath
We will never bring disgrace on this our City by an act of dishonesty or cowardice.

We will fight for the ideals and 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.

Middlebury Road Bridge Work — Getting Started!

I wanted to let you know that the contractor was actually on site at Middlebury Road bridge last Friday, July 21, 2006.  The bridge contractor was clearing debris around the area in preparation for mobilizing the equipment needed to remove the old bridge and install the new one over the next 6 months. Obviously this is good news and it’s great to see something actually happening after all the difficulties that this bridge project has encountered.

It might not look like much yet but the fact that work is officially underway at the Middlebury Road bridge is enough in and of itself a cause to celebrate.  It’s been 3 years worth of legal wrangling to get this far so to actually see some real work beginning is a success in itself.

At this point the contractor is making room to bring in the equipment necessary to remove the existing bridge and then install the new bridge — that’s why you see a chipper truck with an employee pulling and cutting out shrub trees.  The new bridge has already been made and is ready to be shipped to the site as soon as the contractor has done the necessary preparation work.

Pending weather conditions (especially in the fall) the work is scheduled to be compete by the end of the year.  Obviously that’s when the real celebration can begin but until then Friday was a milestone that took many miles to get to so it seemed noteworthy enough to put in this posting.

Word of Thanks for Kent’s Firefighters

[sent via email by Linda Copley, City Clerk]

“Sadly, on Saturday evening, my next door neighbor of 25 years was apparantly stricken with a massive heart attack outside in his side yard. Several squad members and police responded. ALL showed kindness and compassion in what was a very sad situation.

I was so impressed with Don Beckett, and his consideration of the family. This is a situation where my neighbor, a widower, lived next door to his sister-in-law, niece, and great nephew. His niece, an R.N., was performing CPR, when the squad arrived. To my non-trained eye, I could see it was an attempt in futility. When it was acknowledged they could do no more, his niece wanted her mother to be able to say goodbye. Since he was on the ground, and her mother is elderly, in poor health, she was unable to get down on the ground. After they lifted him to the stretcher, Don went over to the woman, offered his arm to her, and escorted her over to say good-bye. This small gesture was truly an act of kindness, and I can honestly say, I was very proud to be a part of the employment at the City. Words cannot express how wonderful Don was, and my husband and I wanted you to know how well he handled this situation.

Thanks, Linda”

There are no guarantees in life — except maybe knowing that Kent’s firefighters stand ready to help any way they can in our family’s hour of need.  Sometimes that’s saving lives, or as this story points out, sometimes that’s just being there to help the survivors.  Either way, they’re there for us, and all of our lives are better because of what they do.

Fire Hydrant Flushing in Kent

The city does a lot of services that people don’t always understand or appreciate. Fire hydrant flushing is one of them. The city flushes fire hydrants to clean out iron deposits in the water lines, to verify the hydrants are properly working, and to assure continued high quality drinking water. To see when city water crews will be working on the hydrants in your neighborhod and understand why the water crews do what they do, read more.

What Takes Place During Fire Hydrant Flushing?
During the testing process, a Water Department operator opens each hydrant to its maximum flow. The flow stirs up iron deposits and settlements and removes them from the system. The operator cleans and lubricates accessible operating parts, checks the operation of the hydrant and valve, and records any deficiencies for repair. Next, the Fire Department inspects the hydrant to determine the volume of water available at each hydrant, familiarize themselves with hydrant locations, and collect other information important for fire pre-planning.

How Often are Hydrants Flushed?
The Water Department flushes the entire system once a year, generally beginning in June. Before testing, fire hydrant flushing schedules are published in the Record Courier Newspaper and on the city’s web page. Businesses that may be adversely affected by the testing, such as doctor’s offices, restaurants, and hair salons, receive the flushing schedule by mail.

Will Hydrant Flushing Affect Your Water?
During the flushing process, you may experience some water discoloration, especially when work is being done in your immediate neighborhood. Once the hydrant flushing is complete, the water quality will improve.

What Precautions Should You Take?
Before doing laundry or other projects that may suffer from discolored water, make sure the water is running clear. Keep a pitcher of clean water in the refrigerator. This discoloration does not indicate that the water is unsafe but may have a displeasing appearance and can stain laundry. Because of the possible discoloration, the City recommends that the following procedure be followed during and after the time of flushing before washing clothes:

· Run a glass of water from your tap (allow water to run for 3 to 5 minutes before filling the glass); · Check the glass for clarity. If clear, clothes may be washed.

PLEASE NOTE: Although the crews are scheduled to flush on your street, flushing on nearby streets may also discolor your water. Therefore, checking the water (as stated) before washing clothes should be practiced during the entire flushing schedule. City crews will be placing signs in strategic locations where the flushing will occur.

Kent Hydrant Flushing Schedule for 2006

SECTION #1 JUNE 6, 2006
Summit Street from S. Lincoln to the KSU stadium, Loop Road, Athena, Artemis, Olympus, Fraternity Circle, Hickory Mills, Campus Center, Whitehall Blvd., Summit Gardens, University Town Homes.

SECTION #2 JUNE 7, 2006
Morris Road from Summit Street to Allerton, including Mae Street, Oak Street, School Street to Lincoln Street, Berkeley, Avondale, Allerton, Rellim Street to Lincoln Street, Bowman Street to Lincoln Street, Valleyview from Morris to Lincoln.

SECTION #3 JUNE 8, 2006
Kent State University Campus

SECTION #4 JUNE 9, 2006
State Route 59 from Luther Avenue east to Railroad Overpass, including Horning Road from State Route 59 to Rhodes Road. Rhodes Road from Horning to State Route 59, Luther Avenue, Elmwood, Oakwood, Woodhill, Frances, Overlook, Birchwood Circle, and The Willow Ridge Subdivision. Holly Park, Dale Drive, Acme Plaza.

SECTION #5 JUNE 13, 2006
Downtown, Main Street from Luther to and including Franklin Avenue, Summit Street from Lincoln to Franklin including Willow Street from Summit to Crain, Kentway, Tonkin Court, Day Street, College Avenue, College Court, Erie Street, Wilson from Main to Crain, Linden Sherman, University, Lincoln from Summit to Crain, Highland Avenue, Crain from Luther to Water Street, Brady Street, Portage Street, Columbus, Water Street from Summit to Lake Street.

SECTION #6 JUNE 14, 2006
Lake Street from Crain Avenue Bridge to the City Limits including Costley Court, Lock Street, Starr Avenue, Marvin Street, Willow Street from Crain to Lake, Gatun, Edgewood, Woodside, Miller Avenue, Steele, Doramor, Dansel, Harvey/Wilson from Crain to Lake, Burr Oak, Lake Street Apartments, Mason, King, Davey, Graham, Walter, Anna, Perry, and Virginia Avenue.

SECTION #7 JUNE 15, 2006
S. Water Street from Summit to the City Limits including Franklin Avenue from Summit to Meloy Road, Vine Street, Depeyster Street from Summit Street South, Willow Street Ext., Lincoln Street from Rellim south, Morris Road from Allerton South, Campus Center Drive from Booster Station to Devon Place to S. Water Street, Chadwick, Ivan, Beryl, Rellim Drive from Lincoln to Water, Bowman from Lincoln to Water, Valleyview from Lincoln west, School Street from Lincoln to Franklin, Elm Street from Vine to Franklin, Oak Street from Vine to Franklin, Hall Street from Vine to Franklin, Williams Street from Vine to Franklin, Cherry Street from Water to Franklin, University Plaza, University Plaza Apartments, Currie Hall, Staesman, Benjamin, and Sunnybrook, and Indian Valley Apartments Complex.

SECTION #8 JUNE 16, 2006
All Streets West of Franklin Avenue including Mogadore Road from Stow Street to Howe Road, Overholt Road, Enterprise Way, Cherry Street from Franklin to State Route 261, Plum Street, Harris Street, Dodge Street, Elm Street, Oak Street, Maple Street, Walnut Street, Pine Street, Cedar Street, St. Clair Avenue, and Martinel Drive.

SECTION #9 JUNE 20, 2006
N. Mantua Street from Fairchild north to the City Limits, Fairchild from N.Mantua to Majors Lane including Cuyahoga, Hudson Road, Randall Drive, Harold, Stinaff Street and Ext., Longcoy Avenue, Carthage, Wolcott Avenue, Riveside Court, Grant street, Pleasant Avenue, Orchard Street, Standing Rock Avenue, River Bend East and West Subdivisions, Davey Tree Complex, Roosevelt High School, Stanton Middle School, Needham, Allen, Delores, Roberts Drive, Whetstone, Rollins Circle, Nottingham Circle, Clarksview Circle.

SECTION #10 JUNE 21-22, 2006
W. Main Street from bridge to Longmere including River Street, Gougler Avenue, Mantua Street from Haymaker Pkwy. To Fairchild, Woodard avenue, Rockwell Street, Earl Avenue, Park Avenue, Pioneer Avenue, Pearl Street, Prospect Street, Whittier Drive, Lowell Drive, Chestnut Street, Grove Avenue, Short Street, Forest Drive, Bryce, Majors Lane from Fairchild to Bryceway, Stow Street, from Main to Mogadore Road, and Haymaker Pkwy. From Longmere to River Street.

SECTION #11 JUNE 23, 27, 2006
W. Main Street from Longmere to Deidrick Road including Sunrise, Sheri, Colleen, Gale Drive, N. Francis, Admore, Middlebury, Manchester, Paulus, Janet, Tallmadge Avenue, Leroy, Longmere Drive, Leonard, Meredith, Norwood, Gardenview, Elno Avenue, Jessie Avenue, Munroe Falls-Kent Road, Roosevelt, Ada, Hughey Drive, Beech Drive, Yacavona, Akron Blvd., Judith, Hampton Drive, Eton Road, Meadow Drive, Emich, Lower Drive, Marilyn Street, Overbrook, Laurel, Brentwood, Chelton, Irma, Garrett Street, Parmalee, Louise, and Deidrick Road.

SECTION #12 JUNE 28, 29, 30, 2006
Fairchild Avenue from Majors Lane to Newcomer Road including Spaulding Drive, Silver Meadows Blvd., Suzanne, Garth, Denise, Carol Drive, Kenwood Court Complex, Evergreen, Spruce Place, Pinewood Place, Shady Lakes Subdivision, Quality Care Center, Fieldstone Subdivision, The Lake of Franklin Mills Subdivision, White Oaks Subdivision, Cottage Gate Subdivision, Erin Drive, Kevin, Allen Drive, Verona Avenue, Adamle Drive, Deleone, and Michaels Drive.

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, LOOK FOR SIGNS PLACED IN YOUR AREA THE DAY BEFORE FLUSHING WILL OCCUR.

If you have any problems or questions regarding the flushing, please call the Service Department at 678-8105.