Recently, a puzzled reporter asked why the City Council postponed a vote on a surcharge on sewer rates until after the council had met with the Citizens Utility Advisory Board (CUAB) and Budget Review Board. We’re trying to avoid the malady Shakespeare called “the disease of not listening.”

We’re all in this together. If the City is to meet its challenges, we need as many people as possible pulling (or pushing) in the same direction. That takes listening.

Milwaukie is specially blessed with residents willing to give of their time and wisdom. The City will have better and cheaper utilities if the Council listens to and has the support of CUAB Chair Charles Bird, who is an engineer. The same goes for CUAB Vice Chair Bob Hatz, who has lived in Milwaukie almost as long as there has been a Milwaukie.

None of us wants to increase the cost of living or working in Milwaukie, but sometimes there are forces outside the City that drive up costs in the City. If the council listens to and has the support of David Aschenbrenner and Leslie Schockner, who are Chair and Secretary of the Budget Committee, and who between them, have a wealth of experience in business and government, then the City will have the most fair costs possible.

Einstein invented a formula for success as well as for relativity: “If A equals success, then the formula is A equals X plus Y and Z, with X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut.”

Listening to residents will achieve the unity of vision and action the City needs to succeed.

This month's Councilor Column is written by Councilor Greg Chaimov. To contact Greg call (503) 786-7511 or send him an email at chaimovg@ci.milwaukie.or.us.

Last updated: 02/01/2010