Get on board

Although we cannot do much either at the national or state level, we can have a real impact at the local level. I’ve watched, both in person and online, countless Redwood City Council and Planning Commission meetings, and on multiple occasions I’ve noted an apparent shift in the thinking of some members based on what a public speaker had to say. Although I’ve not watched too many meetings of our Board of Supervisors (and have yet to attend one in person), I believe that there, too, comments from the public carry real weight.

One of the rare silver linings to come from our recent pandemic is the increased ease with which we can watch local leadership at work. Redwood City, for instance, streams City Council and Planning Commission meetings from its website and over Zoom, and broadcasts those meetings live on local cable channels. We can also, of course, attend in person. Note that this latter option is, at the moment, the only way one can provide live comments (written opinions can always be submitted prior to a meeting); thanks to a few bad apples Redwood City no longer allows public comment via Zoom. Finally, for those needing to watch after-the-fact, Redwood City posts video of its meetings to its website, along with agendas, supporting material and written meeting minutes.

Locally, one needn’t attend a meeting to express one’s opinion and be heard by those wielding the levers of power. Local leaders and many city staffers are our neighbors, and can be found at the many ribbon-cuttings, summer concerts, festivals and other events that occur throughout the city. Closer to home, many of these people are our literal neighbors. For instance, former Councilmember Diana Reddy lives near me, I often see her out walking her dog. Just the other night my wife and I were checking out Redwood City’s newest Mediterranean restaurant — Mazra, at 2021 Broadway — and we ran in to Chris Beth, Redwood City’s director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services. And finally, ever since my kids were in middle school my wife and I have been good friends with Rick Hunter, current chair of Redwood City’s Planning Commission, and his wife.

The fact that people like these are friends and neighbors should not only make us comfortable expressing our opinions directly to those in power, but should also signal that we all can step up and become even closer to, if not one of, the city’s decision makers. Running for city council or supervisor is a real possibility — just ask any of those who have done it — although campaigning is a level of effort many may not be willing to make. Fortunately, there are bodies with real power such as the Planning Commission, plus numerous advisory bodies that the City Council relies on for thoughtful advice, that are far easier to join. And right now, Redwood City is recruiting for a whole host of positions ranging from the Arts Commission to the Architectural Advisory Committee to the Library Board to the Senior Affairs Commission.

To find out what is available, and to apply, simply head to Redwood City’s website and type “BCCs” into the search box. The top result is a link to the Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees Recruitment page, from which you can learn what positions are available and what qualifications one must have (most require little more than a deep interest in the subject). From there a single click takes you to a simple online application.

Here in the U.S., it’s easy to get frustrated with politics at the state and national levels. To counter that frustration, try paying more attention to what is going on locally, and consider becoming a leader and decision maker. I hope to see our leadership ranks filled with caring, clear-headed people of action, from all walks of life.

Greg Wilson is the creator of Walking Redwood City, a blog inspired by his walks throughout Redwood City and adjacent communities. He can be reached at greg@walkingRedwoodCity.com. Follow Greg on Twitter @walkingRWC.