WeShare

I just returned from my professional association’s annual conference which took place in the shadow of almost overwhelming international financial upheaval.  I attended a variety of useful educational sessions and had the opportunity to speak with a number of colleagues about issues we all face.  I’ve always found the conference to be a good investment because it helps me to see trends and issues that I might otherwise have missed.  In other words, it helps me respond to new challenges.

Challenges come to all of us in one form or another every day.  Life gives us a daily quiz which we … Continue Reading

There is no column for Friday, September, 19, 2008.

Community fights, like family fights, can be destructive affairs, creating so much bad will that very little gets done for long periods of time.  People start to oppose whatever the other party in a dispute proposes because of the initial disagreement rather than on the merits of the issue.  A badly polarized community suffers when there is not enough agreement to address the important issues of the day.

… Continue Reading

Much of my work week was spent in mediation sessions where millions of dollars and a major city project were at stake.  I routinely work on issues that I know could have a significant impact on Albany; so this week wasn’t necessarily different than any other in that respect.  The difference I noticed this week had to do with contrast.

Several weeks ago, I wrote about my failed attempt to help dog owners by setting up a permit system to allow people to keep more than two dogs in their homes.  I’ve already explained why this turned out to be a … Continue Reading