Beware the bureaucratic penchant for 'thin-skinism'

I have learned some things from years of interaction with county government officials and agency staff. Most are exceptionally capable, conscientious, cordial, and responsive. And some are prone to the very human foible of thin skin. It is also clear that as our taxes pay their salaries, they work for us in our collective best interests.

It is the nature of bureaucracies and other large organizations to lean toward insularity, notions of infallibility and arrogance. It is the responsibility of leaders and managers to rein in these tendencies. Many are disposed to resist new ideas and to bristle at constructive criticism, even when offered with civility. They sometimes miss the mark in their analyses and reports. And this can have severely negative consequences for us.

Agency staff have occasionally sought to approve plans that, if actualized, would have endangered the lives and safety of hundreds, or even thousands, and the health of children. Thankfully, shoddy staff reports have often been successfully countered and corrected by concerned citizens and outside experts during the review process.

Further, Santa Barbara County residents who live in unincorporated towns have no local government of their own. We depend on our district supervisor to listen to problems, seek solutions, and identify ways to mitigate negative outcomes.

Our Los Alamos Planning Advisory Committee was disbanded by the county last year. It had long been the most effective channel for our voices to be heard, and heeded, on matters affecting our town and the quality of life here. But the Planning and Development Department was not pleased that we spoke up with local input. Our current supervisor seems supportive of resuming this form of community involvement, with its advisory role.

It can never be too late for our county officials and Planning and Development leaders to take stock of their relations with residents, to be aware of the bureaucratic penchant for thin-skinism, and to strive to base actions and policies on best practices, on fact and truth. We could all benefit from this.

Seth Steiner
Los Alamos

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