From A Good Friend of the "Fly"

Someone once noted that there are few things in history that had a more improbable outcome than the birth of this nation.  Against insurmountable odds, a small band of revolutionaries gave birth to a new form of government, of, by and for the people… and we have never looked back.

Last night, while on a much smaller scale, the residents of the Town of East Greenbush experienced a similar fate with the victory of the EG 1^st team and Jack Conway, Tom Grant and Tina Tierney deserve congratulations.  Not just for winning, but doing so in a fashion that was respectful of the voters intelligence and for valuing the rights and needs of this community.

Leadership does not begin after the election or even after the swearing in ceremony.  It begins the day a team of people decides to pursue a course of action that would grant them the opportunity to make a substantive contribution to their community.  On that day, that team begins to surround themselves with like-minded people who help craft a message, formulate a plan and follow that plan.  The EG 1^st team built just such a team and should be commended for it.

That said, the work that began months ago, goes into overdrive now and there is too much work to be done to take extended bows or victory laps.  Gloating is for suckers.  True leaders identify the work ahead and get right to it.  That’s what the EG 1^st team promised and it is a reasonable expectation since, to their credit, they won an election free of the stigma of a major party.  They do not own any of the failed policies of the past decades, nor the contracts nor the budgets or a myriad of other facets of government that need to be corrected here.  Perhaps in this new, somewhat unexpected government, the real winners are disenfranchised residents in this town, who have something meaningful to contribute, but have been shut out because they had the wrong last name, belonged to the wrong party or just didn’t know the right guy.

There really isn’t a right guy anymore.  If you have a way to contribute that can help rebuild this town, this is a team that is as welcoming as lady liberty herself.  Your credentials matter more than your Facebook friends page, because here’s the thing… the EG 1^st team isn’t Jack, Tom and Tina… it’s all of us and they didn’t get here on their own and they are very gracious to note that.  Residents gave them this opportunity and it is reasonable to assume that residents want to see them succeed.

So folks, be prepared to participate.  Introduce yourselves to your new government and get ready to get your hands dirty.  Attend a board meeting and show up with your input for improvements and your resume.  We now have the government that everyone always wanted, but no one thought we would ever get.

The work doesn’t start January 1^st, it starts now.  We have an opportunity to be a part of building a new East Greenbush.  One where the successes are shared by many, not the few and to be part of that is something that will be rewarding and special.  So take a bow EG 1^st… and get to work.  Like someone once noted… to whom much is granted, much is expected, but don’t worry, we don’t expect you to do it alone.