Many Pitfalls Await Mccaslin

Dear Kate McCaslin,

Enjoy your last few days as a private citizen. Come Wednesday, your entire life will change in ways hard to imagine right now. As you assume your Spokane County commissioner seat, we offer you encouragement and some advice, which you can take or leave. We’ve never held public office ourselves, but we have observed the commission for many years. So here goes:

Don’t jump out of your office window, unless your office is on fire. But like Steve Hasson, have some fun and keep a sense of humor. Both will help you survive.

Continue to show your appreciation to county workers. The county employs many bright, creative people who love their jobs and their community. In the past few years, they’ve felt misunderstood and underappreciated. Some morale building is needed. Also, understand the work they do. If that means spending a few hours watching them at work, or pitching in on their jobs, take the time. It will pay off.

Don’t get pigeonholed. Right now the scuttlebutt is that you will align with developers on Growth Management Act votes. Translation: You’ll favor lots of willy-nilly development and not the preservation of open spaces. First of all, don’t believe all the scuttlebutt you hear. Secondly, don’t allow yourself to be pigeonholed so easily.

Your decisions on the act will determine the quality of life in Spokane County for decades to come. So get out into the county and see for yourself what the decisions will mean. Drive the Pines exit off I-90 at rush hour. Hike the open spaces that exist in the county now.

Take the long view. The county needs development, yes, but no one will want to live here if Spokane has the reputation as a stinky, crowded and unsafe county.

Get along with your colleagues. Feuds among commissioners in years past depleted both energy and efficiency. Phil Harris and John Roskelley don’t have to be your best buddies. But the better you all get along, the better it is for county workers and constituents. Communicate. Don’t let misunderstandings fester.

Take care of yourself, physically and emotionally. The job is filled with stress. Almost every time you answer your phone, there will be a problem on the line. Few will remember to say thank you for the hard work and long hours you’ll put in. The media will track your every move and pounce on every mistake.

So be sure to take some time away from the demands. Unplug your phone at home. Get out of town on occasion (but say no to that driving job in Hollywood). Spend time with family and friends who boost your spirits.

Good Luck to you, Kate McCaslin. Sincerely,

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Rebecca Nappi/For the editorial board