These City Officials Rock. Really.

With most things, I take the low-guy-on-the-totem-pole approach. This means you don't miss anything or anyone when looking to the top.

Nothing made this feel more evident when I first pitched the  to the Downtown Development Authority and then to City Council last year. Here I was, just some guy from the community, trying to convince city leadership to let me organize an inaugural 5k on the day of the town's biggest event: The Hometown Christmas Parade.

"Fat chance" kept echoing through my ears.

I was surprised to find that most officials were extremely receptive and encouraged me to schedule it just one week earlier.  Instead of a "The problem with that is..." I was greeted with "How can I help?" 

In my adventures planning the Dash (which was a big success),  as well as my adventures in launching ShareSpace, which I have been blogging about here, I have found we have some really awesome people in the city, and I'd like to introduce you to a few of them (in no particular order):

Nik Banda - Deputy City Manager / Economic & Community Development Director

In our search to find a location and open ShareSpace, Nik has only been a phone call away.  My first email was replied with: "I'd love to hear what you're working on; give me a call and let's chat in my office."  We talked for nearly an hour, and all he wanted to know was how ShareSpace would enhance the business community and how he could help us open. I left thinking "This guy actually GETS it."  He's not worried about anything superficial, like who you know or your credentials — just new ideas and making the city better.

Jaymes Vettraino - City Manager

I talked with Jaymes both about the December 5k and about creating the MI Business Wiki, an all-encompassing free collection of business resources unique to Michigan. Each time, he's taken the perspective of listening first — something you might not expect from local leadership. Not only did the conversations revolve around what next steps were necessary, but he also collaborated on other ideas for each concept that I hadn't thought of.

Jeff Cuthbertson - Mayor

I've had coffee with the mayor. There: I said it. It's not something that I think residents from other cities could say and is a testament to how I believe he views the city. Jeff has had the distinct pleasure (pleasure might be pushing it) of listening to each of my presentations at city meetings and has always been available to provide feedback on how to ensure they enhance the city.  Even the greatest intentions can backfire, and he's kept my hand from getting burnt a few times.  If you see him walking down Main Street, stop him and say "Hi."

Cathy Daldin - Vice Chairwoman, Rochester DDA

Actually, if you look, you'll see that Cathy is involved in numerous committees around town.  She's been my sounding board and guide when it comes to navigating city leadership.  Another open mind, she's always been excited to discuss ways of bringing new ideas for Rochester to fruition. Through her own experience of organizing events downtown, she was instrumental in finalizing our December 5k.

These are just a few people that I've had the pleasure of having facetime with in and around Rochester for my various projects, and they will not be the last.  When it comes to local government, my mind conjures up images of the old-guard: leaders set in their ways, ignorant to new ideas and happy to only talk to a certain hierarchy of the social ladder.  

In Rochester thus far, I've found quite the opposite: collaborators interested in advancing the city, investing in the community at-large and being a resource to those interested in advancing new ideas.