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Pete Steblin

    DOWNLOADS FOR THE FALL 2024 SEASON OF THE LIVING WATER SMART SERIES: “Storytelling is among the oldest forms of communication,” stated Professor Rives Collins, author of ‘The Power of Story: Teaching Through Storytelling’


    We share our world view through our stories and storytelling This is how we pass on our oral history. Storytelling is the way we share intergenerational knowledge, experience and wisdom. “Storytelling is the commonality of all human beings, in all places, in all times,” stated Professor Rives Collins, Northwestern University, author of “The Power of Story: Teaching Through Storytelling”.

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    CHRONICLE OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INNOVATION: “Money is limited, the time politicians can spend on any one issue is short, and choices need to be made. So, whoever makes a compelling case in the moment for their issue…well all of sudden the priorities of a local government are different,” stated Pete Steblin, former City Manager in the Metro Vancouver region (3rd installment in a preview series)


    “At local government conferences these days, you hear the term CAO roadkill a lot. Chief administrative officer positions are tenuous. Look around the Metro Vancouver region. More than half are different than just 18 months ago. Is it any wonder that a prevalent attitude among senior local government staff is, do not stick your head out of the foxhole? When there is a significant level of trust in technical recommendations, Councils rarely override them. Trust is fragile and can easily be broken. When trust is lost, decades of good work can be lost,” stated Pete Steblin.

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Money is limited, attention spans are short, and choices must be made” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in October 2024


    “Over my career, I have worked in four cities, and observed many cities across the country. This experience provides me with context. At the end of the day, good decision-making comes down to a good process. But it also relies on wisdom in terms of balanced advice. When there is a significant level of trust in technical recommendations, Councils rarely override them. Staff explains recommendations. The Council makes the decisions. Trust is fragile and can easily be broken. When trust is lost, decades of good work can be lost,” stated Pete Steblin.

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    KEEP IT SIMPLE, PRACTICAL AND IMPLEMENTABLE: “When an organization is not functioning very well, you fix it one piece at a time. After that, you can finetune the pieces,” stated Pete Steblin, former City Engineer and City Manager


    “It takes a decade to create a good culture in an organization. But you can destroy it in a year with the wrong political leadership. To keep it going, you must continue to do good things. It takes good ideas. But it also takes a Council that is supportive of the good ideas. And it takes money to follow through and implement those ideas. Instill a culture of continuous improvement and giving back to the community so that the community elects good, well-meaning people. It is a cycle. If you keep that cycle going, there is no end to it,” stated Pete Steblin.

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    DOWNLOAD A COPY OF: “Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Collaboration – steppingstone to a culture of appreciation” – released by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in March 2024


    “Hire excellent people. Then let them make the operational decisions. Council always makes the policy decisions, but always with the advice of staff. Ask the right questions to make sure you are comfortable with recommendations,” stated Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart. “We are trying to get people working together. It is a fragile balance. In the age of social media, the Council reality is that, on a whim, the public can make changes based on information that is not accurate. If the public ever loses confidence in either Council or Staff, we could end up with a wrench in the works.”

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