Weary of Fairfax Envy, Let’s Make Prince William ‘Good Enough’

OPINION 

I notice a lot of Government Agencies at all levels have “Centers of Excellence” to ensure the highest standards of service. I’ve been involved in a few over the years, and I have matured my thinking to realize that centers devoted to driving up the size, cost, and complexity of government are perhaps not such a great idea.

I have a suggestion.

In the interests of reducing the size, complexity and reach of Prince William County Government and its operating costs, I am proposing that we initiate a “Center of Mediocrity”.

“Good enough” costs a lot less.

The quest for excellence has taken the Federal Government to the brink of failure. The Commonwealth is next. Perhaps Prince William County should be proactive and focus on “good enough” for a while.

It’s good to be proactive.

I know, it will take a bit of time to get used to certificates of recognition for “most mediocre” and a string of inspirational posters and phrases extolling the virtues and benefits of mediocrity, but change isn’t easy.

Every budget discussion is always framed around competition to be “the best.” We constantly compare ourselves to neighboring jurisdictions regarding economic development, cost of government, size of staff, academic, and financial performance – I could go on.

I am growing weary of comparisons to Fairfax County. We will never be like them. Constantly casting ourselves in “catch up” mode is expensive. We just don’t have the commercial economic base to compete, and it will be decades before we come even close.

I’m not really interested in paying for the absolute best government. I want to understand what is “good enough”, what satisfies the measures established in the Strategic Plan, what performance measures are important to the education of our children.

I would just as soon have a smaller, mediocre government that costs less and actually delivers more in terms of relevant, measurable results. I’d get rid of those decorative plants sprinkled all over Prince William County Government buildings and the maintenance that goes with them, for starters. They just don’t strike me as the mediocre response I’m looking for when entering the McCoart Administration Building.

I think the Prince William should start a recognition program for county employees who contribute to government mediocrity. Perhaps a lapel pin. Denim shirts would be nice to spread the message, as long as we didn’t get the really expensive ones.

Citizens with suggestions regarding how to be “good enough” should also be recognized by their District Supervisor or perhaps our Chairman during board meetings. I’d print the certificates of recognition on a color printer instead of getting expensive plaques to be consistent.

I already have a slogan for coffee cups and T-Shirts:

“Mediocrity… It takes a lot less time and most people won’t notice the difference!”