Letter to the Editor / OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

By  Roger C. Kostmayer

If you were responsible for leading a group traveling through unknown territory, over a long period, you’d probably want to have the best maps and plans possible.  Key West’s smart decision to use experts to help develop and implement a Strategic Plan (SP), based on the community’s needs and wants, is a similar journey.

A SP defines KW’s goals and directions both short term and into the future.  It will be the touchstone for making the right decisions today, regarding achievements and resources, that get us where you and I want our city to be tomorrow.  And, most importantly, it gives citizens an objective and measurable way to evaluate the performance of both senior staff (e.g. City manager, City Attorney, City Clerk) and our elected officials.  Most experts believe a rigorous planning process (that involves goals, objectives, quantifiable accountability and the participation of all city managers) is the most effective way to manage a large organization.

Past KW public opinion surveys showed substantial unanimity about the issues that most concerned citizens, and they included: Quality of Life, Green Community, Traffic, Affordable Housing, Quality Education, Health Care, Selective Tourism, Diversity, KW Values (e.g. One Human Family), Climate Change.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]