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Description
Arlington County Board Member Erik Gutshall's remarks at the Board's Organizational Meeting on January 2 2018.
A
All
right
well,
thank
you,
madam
chair
and
colleagues,
for
the
very
warm
welcome
as
we
glanced
in
the
rearview
mirror
and
check
our
current
speed
and
then
peer
up
ahead
on
the
road
ahead.
It's
clear
that
Arlington
is
blessed
with
a
strong
foundation,
deeply
rooted
in
our
shared
values
that
will
sustain
our
continued
success
as
we
meet
the
tumultuous
challenges
brought
upon
us
by
outside
forces.
A
I
am
deeply
honored
to
join
a
high
functioning
board,
with
no
shortage
of
needs
or
leadership
to
fulfill
them
and
I'm
humbled
to
work
together
with
my
colleagues
on
innovative
solutions
to
the
many
initiatives
that
we've
already
identified
here
tonight.
As
I've
been
duly
warned,
our
budget
this
year
will
be
rife
with
difficult
choices
constrained
by
a
harsh
revenue
gap.
A
Unfortunately,
it's
likely
that
the
budget
we
ultimately
adopt
will
disappoint
some
very
deserving
needs.
Fortunately,
fiscal
discipline
is
easier
to
muster
when
guided
by
the
moral
compass
of
our
core
values.
For
example,
the
North
Star
of
our
moral
compass
is
an
excellent
public
education
for
every
single
one
of
our
children.
A
And,
finally,
our
moral
bearings
would
be
fruitless
without
the
economic
prosperity
to
fund
our
high
quality
of
life.
I
joined,
my
colleagues
and
adding
my
full
support
for
the
managers
initiatives
already
underway
to
improve
the
culture
of
customer
service
of
our
County
staff.
I
will
look
for
every
opportunity
to
empower
county
employees
to
help
businesses
and
residents
get
to
yes
as
quickly
as
possible,
while
serving
the
public
interest.
A
Indeed,
the
moral
compass
of
our
core
values
will
guide
the
direction
we
steer
this
community,
but
leadership
must
also
address
the
speed
and
sometimes
the
baggage
we
carry
on
our
journey
for
decades.
Every
board
member
who
has
sat
on
this
diet,
including
tonight,
has
addressed
the
imperative
for
meaningful
civic
engagement.
The
Arlington
way
with
a
dysfunctional
federal
administration
straining
the
bounds
of
civility
and
good
governance.
I
can
only
add
to
the
chorus
a
resounding
commitment
to
continual
improvement
of
the
manner
means
and
methods
by
which
our
County
government
seeks
the
consent
of
the
governed.
A
In
fact,
given
there
is
so
much
to
do
and
limited
precious
resources
time
and
dollars
to
achieve
our
goals,
I
hope
to
best
to
serve
the
county
by
fostering
civic
engagement
that
delivers
quality
decisions
in
a
predictable
and
timely
manner.
Numerous
studies,
workgroups
in
outreach
over
the
years
have
culminated
and
the
just
released
draft
public
engagement
guide
for
capital
projects,
mr.
manager,
I
hope
Brian
is
happy
that
all
I
think
every
single
one
of
us
has
referenced
this.
This
great
work
by
your
staff,
distilled
from
the
2012
place,
initiative
and
20:15
community
facility
study.
A
A
I
cannot
promise
that
everyone
will
get
what
they
want,
but
I
do
pledge
that
the
we'll
be
an
inclusive
and
level
playing
field
for
everyone,
with
no
predetermined
outcomes
and
a
constant
commitment
to
honest
dialogue
that
seeks
a
full
range
of
perspectives
as
we
look
forward
to
the
year
ahead
of
us,
with
both
concern
and
optimism,
pragmatism
and
aspirations
and
as
I
begin.
My
first
term
on
this
board.
I
note
with
solace
and
gratitude,
but
though
there
are
factors
we
do
not
control
that
frame.
The
future
of
this
magnificent
County.