The County Line
- Volume 53, Number 3 - 2009
"Where you stand is based on where you sit."
Once making the transition from assistant director to executive director, the view becomes a bit different on some issues.
There is hardly a week that goes by during a session of the Alabama Legislature that I don’t remember an old friend, Rep. J.E. Turner of Citronelle.
He passed away in 2002 after more than 24 years in the legislature. He was a fireball!
He might have been the original fireball – quick witted, a sharp memory for details, and always ready with a memorable quote to capture his unique view of the world of the Alabama Legislature.
When he disagreed with folks, he often said – in a way that only he could – “Well, I guess where you stand is based on where you sit, and I sit somewhere else.”
His words were straight, to the point, and wonderfully insightful.
As I’ve transitioned from my long-time post as assistant director to serve as the fourth executive director in the Association’s 80-year history, those words seem to fit the challenges perfectly.
There are things I understand pretty well today; things that weren’t even on my radar in the last 20 years sitting in a different office just a few feet away.
Where I stand on a number of issues today is different than a few months ago, because now I sit in a different place as well.
I was reminded of Rep. Turner’s insight a few weeks after I was named executive director. The reminder came in the form of reaction to an article that was published in this magazine.
As executive director, making a response to that reaction fell on my desk. One of those things that comes with the territory, I guess.
Many years ago, when I was the editor of this magazine there was a complaint about something I had written. I don’t remember the specifics, but I do recall that responding to those who were unhappy didn’t fall on my shoulders. That was the responsibility of the executive director, and I didn’t get involved.
This latest issue, however, was my responsibility.
In retrospect, having only two “real” complaints about the magazine in 21 years is a pretty good record. But, that didn’t make me feel better at the time.
The reaction centered on a story about the growing use of a company
providing Internet-based auction services to county commissions.
The article detailed the growth of the company, the success many counties have experienced in disposing of their items “online” via the Internet, and the benefits the Association has enjoyed because of its “endorsement” of this company’s services.
I think the “endorsement” may have caught some people off guard.
Now, it’s not unusual for associations to “endorse” businesses in exchange for a portion of that business’ revenue. Honestly, it’s standard procedure in the association world.
Many of our sister associations across the country depend mightily on such revenue. For our Association, revenue from endorsements represents only about 2 percent of our operating budget – so it’s not significant.
What is significant is the advantage some perceive from such an endorsement. And, I’ve learned, an article about such an endorsement is seen as an even more significant advantage.
Was the article intended to say that online or Internet-based auctions are inherently better than the traditional on-site versions? Absolutely not.
Was the article intended to say that a company providing this service is somehow a better company or can give counties better service simply because it operates online or through the Internet? Absolutely not.
Was the article intended to signal a change in the Association’s relationship with the on-site auction companies that attend and support its convention, advertise in its magazine, and support its activities with their presence and service? Absolutely not.
In this edition of our magazine, you’ll find full-page, full-color advertisements for three auction companies — J.M. Wood Auction Company, Deanco Auction Company and GovDeals — and a half-page, full-color advertisement from a fourth company, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.
All of these companies offer outstanding services, and all of these companies are competing for the opportunity to assist counties in selling equipment and other items.
ACCA is extremely grateful to all of these companies for their support and for the important part they play in our success. Without their support, it would be much more difficult to overcome the challenges we face every day.
Each company has its own niche and expertise. In making a decision on a company to assist in the disposal of county property, commissions should evaluate all of the options in the market and make the decision that provides the best benefit to the taxpayers.
The discussion surrounding the article has pushed this issue to the front burner for me and for the Association’s staff.
In the coming months, we will take a closer look at ACCA’s programs and our relationship with companies providing essential and cost-effective services to county governments.
There will, almost certainly, be changes in what we do and the opportunities we offer – changes we trust that will be for the better. Changes that I will, no doubt, evaluate a little differently now that I’ve learned firsthand the wisdom of an old friend’s words.
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