Being Ojai’s Mayor - One Year In…

Dear Ojai, 

I am honored to serve our city and believe we are making substantial progress on many fronts. It’s really exciting to be a part of it. Soon residents will receive the Ojai Outlook publication, which will highlight some of the accomplishment this year, as well as future directions. In this letter I want to share a few experiences I have found compelling. Some of these were surprising, and some I expected.  

1. Serious participation in Ojai’s government, non-profits, and businesses really pays off - There is a lot to learn when a Council person comes on board, and the more information, variety of local experience, and community relationships one has, the better. Every issue we deal with has relevant history and outcomes that are worth understanding, and this takes time. Listening, careful reading, and proper attention are keys to getting this work done. 

2. Everything takes longer than expected - While there is always room for improvement, there are usually understandable, though sometimes not obvious, reasons why progress takes time. On as many issues as we can, we want to ensure that community voices are heard, due diligence is adhered to, and that we have considered as many consequences as possible. There are also legal obligations we did not create but have to follow. It can be frustrating to wait for progress, but I am grateful we can consider things slowly and thoughtfully. Still, we want to be as efficient as we can and strive always to improve.

3. What looks like a roadblock might be a blessing - Sometimes members of the Council or the public bring up items that will require more time, research, and resources than we originally expected on an initiative. In the moment these added requests might feel like barriers and delays. Several times in the past year have shown me that a postponement, an extra study, and an additional collaboration proved to be prudent and produced a better outcome than the original plan. This has been a valuable lesson for me in patience.

4. Listening, clarifying, requesting data, communicating clearly, and being kind - At times there is a lot of passion surrounding an initiative or decision, and on most issues there are conflicting, reasonable views. When things are tense, hearing concerns and exploring what options and compromises are available goes a long way toward an outcome we can live with. Answering questions, adding information to help understanding, and hearing about aspects we may not have been aware of are common activities for Council members and staff. I have found, on the whole, that most people are receptive to reasonable and sincere dialogue, and are ready to positively contribute to Ojai’s wellbeing. The overarching issues in our city, such as preparing for wildland fire, quality of life for residents, traffic, and environmental care are with us in every decision we make, and we all play a part in our future. Staying calm, focused, and flexible help a lot in this work, as does keeping a sense of fun and adventure :)

5. Attending to the immediate, reviewing the past, and preparing for the future… all in public - As all organizations know, there are many needs that must be simultaneously addressed, and it’s our job to prioritize correctly. Sometimes plans have to change, and this can be annoying for everyone. What is different about this organization’s goals is that the “owners” are all of us, and there is justified public attention on everything the government does. I’ve served on many non-profit boards in the past, and this work is different. There is daily and wide-spread attention on our decisions, and that makes everything important. There is a healthy pressure and accountability in this, and a real duty. For moments it can be daunting. Civic life is serious and sometimes profound, and an honor to participate in.

6. Gratitude - Finally, as we all know, we have a fantastic community in a beautiful and unique valley. I did not expect to love this place even more than I did before being on the Council. I thought I might love Ojai less, especially when there is conflict, impatience, and hard decisions to make. But that is not what has happened. My feelings of belonging and hope are stronger now than ever, even in these turbulent times for our country and our world. 

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to Ojai. I strive to maintain a balanced life, still taking time to be with family, hike, garden, read, cook, play music, etc. I welcome your feedback and ideas, and hope the second year of being Ojai’s Mayor will be as rewarding and productive as the first year. 

Andy Gilman