‘ 67 counties , One voice ’ is easy to say , hard to do
President ’ s PERSPECTIVE
Hon . Steve McKinnon President
To succeed , we must become laser-focused on unity
4 | COUNTY COMMISSION
‘ 67 counties , One voice ’ is easy to say , hard to do
Editor ’ s Note : This is the prepared text of Steve McKinnon ’ s inaugural address .
Good evening . As we conclude our Association ’ s 89th Annual Convention , it is truly an honor for me to stand up tonight and discuss the next 12 months we ’ ll travel together . The role of the president is to provide a roadmap for the membership , to be your spokesperson and to , perhaps , emphasize some details that could help this outstanding organization become even stronger . And that is exactly what I hope to accomplish . Clearly , our Association is already on strong footing tonight and , clearly , I am not going to talk with you about major reforms in our organization or a significant change in direction . I am , however , going to spend a few minutes giving you my impressions of where we are and asking you to join me on a journey that may be just a little bit uncomfortable for some .
Over the last nine years , we ’ ve established a bit of a tradition . Each president sets a course for the Association , works hard to provide the leadership and vision necessary and – all the while – the smart guys around the state are working on some kind of nickname to characterize what has happened over those 12 months . It is one of those things that you wear as a badge of courage . But once you get to this point as the new president , and you stand up here alone , you sorta begin to worry about how you might be remembered .
Like today at lunch . I know that our executive director spent a great deal of time and thought on establishing the new nickname . And I watched Bill squirm as Sonny talked and then unveiled the new name that he will carry with him forever . And , I must say , it is still a little bit uncomfortable for me to think about Bill Stricklend as a bunny rabbit !
Although , I do see the resemblance !
But he is not the only one whose name sticks with me . I certainly see Ricky Burney as a “ King ,” don ’ t you ? And there ’ s my friend Merceria Ludgood – it ’ s really hard for me to see her now without thinking of a pioneer in a covered wagon . But , honestly , even though he has gained a reputation of being an all-star president , the vision of Ray Long as a slugger , waltzing toward the batter ’ s box , squeezed into those tight baseball pants – well , that ’ s not a pretty thought for any of us !
Seriously , I respect and admire all the past presidents of this Association – even those who were able to get away without an official nickname . Their continued service sets a standard for each and every one of us . And the fact that every past president in this Association remains on our Board of Directors while he or she is in office is just another thing that makes this organization special . I only hope that 12 months from now that all of them – and everyone in this room – will be satisfied that I ’ ve done my part to finish what has been started by those who led this organization before me .
The work we have before us is so important that I have found a way to keep Sonny and the staff focused and to allow each of you to work on the truly important things . You see , you won ’ t have to waste any energy or be distracted this year , because I have already picked out my nickname . I like this nickname . It ’ s the one I want . And I would like to tell you about it before we adjourn tonight . I remember when Tim Cho-