Though voters will go to the polls in just eight weeks to cast their votes for local, state and national races, elections and politicians haven’t been a hot topic of conversation in the Capital Region lately—and for good reason, says Business Report Publisher Rolfe McCollister.
“Electing the right leader who stands strong in a time of crisis—and can provide vision beyond the storm—is important, but these past couple of months have proven you don’t have to be ‘elected’ or ‘official’ to lead and be a public servant,” McCollister writes in his latest column. “In fact, we all could share examples we’ve seen of leadership and service to others delivered by individuals who weren’t elected officials or even government employees. We have seen heroes among ordinary citizens, churches, nonprofits, business people and, of course, the ‘Cajun Navy.’ These people didn’t wait to be elected—they just went to work.”
Such efforts are exactly the kind needed for the Capital Region to come back strong from the devastating August flood, McCollister says.
“We need your talents, ideas and continued dedication to serving the greater good in our community,” he writes. “That’s a decision you make in your heart—not in the voting booth … Politicians have a necessary role in leadership, but so do you.”
Also in his latest column, McCollister touches on the controversy surrounding San Francisco 49er’s quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has refused to stand for the national anthem at recent games in protest of police brutality and social injustice.
“I make my living off the First Amendment and I respect free speech, even when I disagree with it. But the American flag and national anthem represent those rights and all that is good and bad in the greatest nation on earth,” McCollister writes. “I get what Kaepernick is protesting about, and agree that we should all fight for ‘liberty and justice for all.’ But I don’t agree with what he did or where he did it. People don’t go to a football game to see a political protest that disrespects our nation and those who died for freedom, no more than they go to church to have the preacher give them a sales pitch for Herbalife.”
McCollister shares his most recent column space with entrepreneur and Next Generation Pioneers founder Dezmion Barrow, who writes about his experience through this most trying summer and offers suggestions for how our community can move forward positively.
Read McCollister’s full column, and check out the full column by Barrow. Send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.
