Turning hopes and dreams into goals and successes

As part of my orientation to Winsted, I am meeting individually with various officials. It is important to open and cultivate communications in a formal setting to build upon everyday casual conversations. I hope to use these conversations to develop a vision and direction for the town.I have asked each of the selectmen and the department supervisors to prepare a series of six cards for me. On the first card, I want to know, if money was no object, what project or program each official would like to see pursued. I believe that it is critical that we dream, that we hope and plan for better times. We have to have long-term goals. In some cases, knowing what is hoped for can help guide smaller efforts to take full advantage of unforeseen opportunities.On the next two cards, I want to know, in their minds, what are the two most pressing problems. These problems can be departmental or town-related. I want to learn what is holding us back, what issues are the obstacles on their minds. Will these issues be similar between the elected officials and the town staff? Are the elected officials aware of the staff concerns and vice versa? Until I can understand the specific problems from the perspective of the officials who have served longer and are more familiar with the community than I, I cannot properly develop policy recommendations to the selectmen or offer direction to the staff.The final three cards should include small-scale projects that can easily be addressed. During these difficult economic times, we need to seize as many small victories as possible. We need to demonstrate that we are continuing to make efforts, however small, to improve the town’s quality of life and services. We need these accomplishments to build confidence and trust in town government.Once I have everyone’s cards, I want to put them all on a wall in my office. I want a strong visual reminder of the hopes, issues and projects that are on our leaders’ minds. As we address each issue, I can note our success or failure appropriately with each card. Some people have taken a certain amount of pleasure in telling me of the town’s past failures, big and small. I want to be able to share our successes with residents and other interested people.I will share these issues — our successes, and, yes, our failures — by engaging as many people as possible. This past week, I was invited to speak at the monthly Rotary Club meeting and at the monthly community dinner at the United Methodist Church. I try to walk as frequently as possible throughout town, whether it is next door to the post office or a longer walk to the drugstore or restaurants. I will politely try to greet as many people as I can, and, if you have a thought or comment that you wish to share with me, please do so. I may not be able to immediately address your issue, but I will note your contact information and be in touch with you once I can properly respond.If you would like me to speak to an organization, please contact me at Town Hall. I can share general thoughts with you or, if you have a topic of specific interest, I can do my best to address that issue. I still have much to learn as to how things are done here in Connecticut, but it sure has been an exciting first two months.I still believe that we have wonderful and untapped opportunities in Winsted. We need to work together and pull in the same direction rather than simply pulling at each other. Things will change, but it will take time and a renewed commitment from everyone interested in being part of our renaissance.Dale L. Martin is the town manager in Winchester.