Brother Gene Bouie’s series of articles regarding leadership and planning is very well written. Being prepared with a measurable plan of action is always critical when appointed or elected as a leader. Having a plan prepares the team and focuses the actions to ensure completion of the stated goals . Too often, what the city of Trenton has elected and received are leaders who take office with no real plan, and who make ridiculous promises. Individuals who have never led or are unqualified to lead are placed in charge of the city. The powers that be present these supposed leaders to the community and encourage the community to vote for these individuals based on race, or party affiliation, and disallow any real vetting. The voters are just expected to vote the way they are told to vote. No questions asked. The people of the city recognize this. We aren’t dumb. But, being that the city has not improved, that nothing has gotten better, that the promises made have not been kept, the people have accepted their fate and have given up any real hope of change. It’s why the percentage of voters that actually vote is continually in the 30th percentile. The city is kept in this perpetual time loop every four years. Election time comes, and here come the crows…I mean, politicians, ready to feed off the carcass that is Trenton. Those same individuals get elected, and poof, like magic, they disappear, not to be seen or heard from again until the next election season. Oh, you might catch them at a photo op, or at some rally, but they are absent from the real work, the decisions necessary to fix the issues affecting this community. We, the voters, just shrug our shoulders, accept the situation as a manifestation of just how it is, and go about our lives, becoming more apathetic and uncaring. We sit back and watch the continual deterioration of this once great city and say, “nothing ever changes”. This next election is the time to make those changes. I agree that those planning on running should present an actual plan, and not some grandiose proclamation that we all know to be ridiculous. Let’s vet these individuals and see if their plans actually make sense. In addition to plans of action, I would also ask that the voters question every individual’s qualifications to lead. I say this because it’s time that Trenton elections stop being a popularity contest and become about sound leadership. The voters should ask: 1) What positions have each candidate held that have made them accountable and responsible to and for the shareholders (the community)? If a candidate has never been in a position where they were held to account for any decisions they made that have impacted the community, then they should be disqualified. 2) Has the candidate ever been involved in a critical incident where immediate decisions and actions were necessary to overcome that critical incident? If a candidate has never been in that situation, then they should be disqualified. 3) Has the candidate ever placed themselves in the line of fire for their subordinates when those individuals have been unfairly attacked or accused? If a candidate has never had subordinates or has never stood in the line of fire for them, then they should be disqualified. 4) Has the candidate ever had to create policy and procedures in their previous job title and function? If the candidate has never performed that task, then they should be disqualified. These are but four simple questions about qualifications for leadership. There are many more. Elected positions shouldn’t be training grounds for unqualified individuals. We have seen too often how unqualified leadership brings nothing to the table and only continues the downward spiral this city has experienced, culminating in it being considered the worst state capital in the country. Can the city sustain another four years of that type of ineptitude? This next election, the voters of this city should stop voting against their own self-interests. Let’s identify an actual leader who is not beholden to any individual or party, and only has the interests of the city at heart. Someone who actually grew up in Trenton, served this community, and knows firsthand the issues this city faces. IT IS TIME!!!! ...read more read less