Editorial
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TweetWho is in charge of scheduling in this town?
No one. Should there be?
Consider:
On Saturday, May 14, civic-minded folks were forced to choose between a historic event in Klukwan, the high school’s only home track meet of the year, a picnic and educational event about a proposed new preschool, a daylong meeting over the hire of our town’s highest-ranking municipal employee, and a 5K run capping the Girls on the Run program.
That’s five different events happening at the same time in a town of 2,500 people.
On Tuesday, May 24, a Haines Borough meeting including possible adoption of next year’s budget was scheduled at the same time as Haines High School graduation ceremonies.
On Saturday, May 20, a picnic open house for Mosquito Lake Community Center started 4 p.m. and a barbecue fundraiser at the state fairgrounds to raise money for local cancer patients started 4:30 p.m.
Certainly May is a popular month for holding community events, but can we spread out our meetings and special events to avoid major conflicts?
Consistently sensible scheduling would probably require the appointment or hire of a calendar coordinator. What? Adding more pay or another government employee to our borough that’s already carrying a deficit? Maybe.
Or perhaps the borough could provide some cash to the Chamber of Commerce for a person to maintain a community calendar and notify groups and agencies in advance when their dates conflict with other events.
Crazy talk? Cost too much?
Consider the cost, in lost participation, lost ideas and even lost cash, when people can’t come to a meeting, show or fundraising event because another meeting, show or fundraiser is happening at the same time?
This topic is at least worthy of discussion between borough leaders and community groups.
Some scheduling conflicts are inevitable and not all of them are problems, but Haines is a very small town. Conflicts reduce participation, and reduced participation limits an event or meeting’s potential for success.
- Tom Morphet
