Two preferences for Thinking using Fire as a Metaphor

1. Fighting the fire by taking immediate action to put it out. This takes motivation, skill, courage, and knowledge. The story makes headline news and generates “clicks” on social media.
2. Preventing the Fire requires the same personal attributes but is not as exciting. Few know about the success of changes that were made that reduced the number of fires. Prevention involves analyzing the root causes of a fire, looking at all the variables and stakeholders, and making the changes needed to prevent or reduce a reoccurrence. This process is referred to as “systems thinking.”    When assessing the results of a change using data, it takes about 7 data points to indicate that the change resulted in an improvement.

For context offering a “system perspective” on Brown County’s sewer expansion project:   BCRSD Sewer Project: Phase 1 Division 1 – Will you be affected?

The challenge is balance. If you are always fighting fires, you always will be.  To paraphrase Ben Franklin,  “An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure.”

The So What?  The desired expansion of sewers in the county was based on what many would consider a one-sided closing argument by the Brown County RSD supported by the commissioners and council.  Did the supporting agencies at the state and federal levels perform their due diligence in approving funding for the project?

• • What is one responsibility only for US citizens?

Fire Fighting.  Not surprising (very predictable) that there would and will be opposition by property owners who refuse to cooperate and may collectively take legal action regarding easements.

Fire Prevention. I provided “early warning” on this likelihood of opposition for years.  I offered suggestions on better processes for communicating a need and advocated for citizen engagement.  Arguments fell on deaf years.  With a one-party monopoly on political power, “might makes right”  and the “ends justify the means.”  A monopoly is a closed system and can and does morally (right vs wrong) corrupt those who work within it.

The arguments and counterarguments on this project will now be made on social media.  An additional option included Letters submitted to the Brown County Democrat that might include both sides of the debate.   Many people still read the paper just for the letters.   Lettter can be sent to:  newsroom@bcdemocrat.com.