Walking in my shoes

One of my greatest shortcomings as Mayor was that I sometimes failed to listen to my excellent staff out of ignorance and arrogance.

I offer some advice to the current Mayor that I hope he will consider.

1. Remember who you are - You represent the entire City, not the council members who appointed you. Acknowledge the beloved figure in whose shadow you live through good deeds, honest work and humble service.

2. It's the little things that git ya! - Don't open the door to getting stung for petty scandals such as credit cards, travel and vehicles. In all things, moderation and clear public purposes.

3. Be willing to make a deal - To get what you want sometimes means giving up things that mean alot to you. Your skills as a negotiator are equal only to your willingness to compromise.

4. Listen to your staff - You don't know it all. There are people around you who understand the government and politics in Nogales. They know the way, follow their advice.

5. Listen to the right people - Your work is not a zero-sum gain. Put yourself and the council in a win-win situation all the time. If you do that, Nogales always wins.

6. Put the people on your bus in the right seats - Get rid of the people at City Hall who should not be there. Help the people who are trying to help you, the council and the community.

As Jim Collins, author of "Good to Great" would say, First who, then what.

He would also say that you must avoid being the Fox who pursues many ends, knows many things and is scattered, pre-occupied and always contradictory.

Instead, be what Collins calls a Hedgehog, one who simplifies a complex world into basic principles that unifies all.

Hugh Holub used to boast to me that his enemies had nicknamed him "El Alacran" or the Scorpian.

The favorite food of the Hedgehog? Scorpians!

By the way, Scorpians are known to attract buzzards.

Clearly, Hugh is speaking from experience.

Good Luck!

Louie Valdez

Phoenix AZ

520-331-2856