The people have spoken. New faces will soon join many local government teams, making this a perfect time for our elected officials to take a hard look at how well their local governments have been operating.

Members of these teams need to develop productive relationships with each other, with their civil servants, and with the people living in their community if they hope to make government work for all of us. This is an essential part of governing.

Just as importantly, they must understand there is a big difference between governance and administration.

Elected politicians are expected to govern. This involves making strategic decisions about laws, policies, rules, regulations, government-sponsored programs and projects. Governing takes a long-term view of the pros and cons of an issue and concludes with a collective decision. It provides structure.

Civil servants handle administration. Most are appointed officials. Administration involves implementing the decisions made during governance. It’s managing the day-to-day affairs of the government. Administrators make things happen.

Simply put, governing bodies set the rules while administrators carry out those rules. Good governance looks after the welfare of the government’s citizens. Good administration achieves the goals set by the governing body.

Issues can, and often do, occur when governing bodies begin to meddle or micromanage the folks working in administration. Some set unreasonable expectations. Others belittle their employees. Elected officials have even gone so far as to demand civil servants do unethical things or violate laws.

To avoid issues, elected officials must understand their role and responsibilities. To be responsive to local needs, they have to pay attention to their constituents and reliable data before making decisions. They must involve local people and a wide array of stakeholders, including engaged citizens like those found on the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Local Economic Development committee. They should also listen to their employees, especially when those employees are responsible for implementing decisions made by the elected officials.

Creativity may be called for, but energy and civility are always required. Elected officials should strive for cooperation, leaving their political affiliations at the door, avoiding divisiveness and rivalries at all costs.

They must strive for consensus without fighting or debating issues so long that everyone loses sight of a reasonable solution. They need to set realistic expectations and hold people accountable without demeaning anyone. In highly functioning governments, people work together on practical local possibilities. They work through bitter disagreements. Ultimately, they never lose sight of the core values and principles enshrined in our Constitution.

Like businesses, local governments need to evolve and grow. Officials must take time to assess what’s working well and what could be improved. They must be forward-thinking and action-oriented. They need to focus on the practical problems their community can and should address. They have the power to make our communities better.

It’s time to embrace a future full of hope.

Congratulations to those recently elected. Working together with their employees, our elected officials can bring about the positive changes voters have elected them to achieve.

Patty Hammond is economic development coordinator at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. The Local Economic Development initiative is a standing committee of the foundation. Send comments or suggestions to phammond@nccfoundation.org