IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2016 | Page 54

Briefly Brentwood

BOROUGH NEWS

Borough Manager’s Message
“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive.”

George Zboyovsky, PE

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– Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer
The above quote is taken from a popular song that was
nominated for “Best Song” in 1945. It is sung in the style of a
sermon, and explains that accentuating the positive is the key
to happiness. I remember when I was a kid my mother walking
around the house singing this song to her 5 children. I think more
than ever the words to this song should be heeded. Working in the
Public Sector for over 17 years now, 7 as a Councilman and 10 as a
municipal manager, I have witnessed far more negative responses
than positive ones. The saying goes that “nobody is going to
take time out of their busy lives to come to a Council meeting to
compliment the way things are going in their community. They
will only come if they have something to complain about or a
personal problem that affects them.” This is fine and certainly the
reason why myself, and many others, dedicate their lives to Public
Service. To solve problems and “serve the public”. One of the best
parts of my job is when I am able to help a resident with an issue.
No matter how minor of an issue it may seem, to them it is a major
crisis. So when they walk away with a smile and a thank you, it
helps make up for those days when people call about an issue and
are screaming bloody murder using language that would make a
sailor blush. We understand that mistakes may have been made
and that they are feeling like nobody is hearing them, but to speak
to our wonderful front office staff like that shouldn’t be acceptable
for any reason. You may have heard about the “Golden Rule”, “treat
others as you would have them treat yourself.” I like to stress to
the Borough Staff that let’s take this up a notch to the “Platinum