Camp Shepard Initative
Updated: May 26, 2023
I attended a meeting for the Camp Shepard Subcommittee on March 28, 2023. As I listened to the discussion to the meeting, several thoughts, questions, and ideas became very apparent.
To begin, I attended a Town Council meeting on August 9, 2022. I requested to speak about the Camp Shepard situation. To read the original blog article on this subject, please click here. If you wish to hear my comments at the meeting, click here (around 48:32).
This initiative can provide a significant impact and enjoyment to the residents of the Town. For families, children, and visitors alike. At the same time, this is a large public sector project which will require significant financial support from the Town. To approach it balancing the outcome (a great facility) with fiscal temperance requires a strategy and vision as through a deliberate approach. At the same time, it must be expense neutral meaning there should not be an increase to the Town's budget to fund/operate this initiative. Simple equation: Revenue - Expenses >= 0.
As I sat and listened intently to the meeting conversation, it was clear that very few (if any) of my thoughts and suggestions for a planned, organized and methodical approach to this initiative were integrated into the process.
So, to prove that point ... I compiled seven pages of thoughts and questions from the 3/28 meeting. Here is the summary of those notes:
A goal without a plan is a dream.
- Mark Cuban
Minutia vs. Planning
Vision, comprehensive plan, input, phased approach and a plan.
- During the meeting, we received a printed copy of a five-page titled "Camp Shepard Action Plan -- DRAFT (as of 3-28-2023).
- The plan included the details of 14 building structures with description, pictures, dimensions, and an "action" plan of what was required to be done.
- Why is the Town discussing and "investing" in this level of minutia? Without a comprehensive plan? Will some of these structures be needed in the future as it integrates into a "comprehensive plan"?
- The "plan" document did not include any estimated or actual costs of the labor (which should be disclosed in employee hours) and materials.
- However, that response still creates the situation that we may be effecting repairs on a structure that may not be used or needed. Or the space of that structure may be needed by another purpose.
- UPDATE: For full transparency, I have been told recently that some of these structures are being repaired for safety reasons. To cover windows and other temporary repairs to avoid any issues with vandalism, etc. There has been several instances of vandalism with spray painting, etc. Which is unfortunate.
- Imagine destroying one of the 14 structures that have been repaired?
- Where is the budget for this initiative? Where are the materials for these repairs being charged?
Rome was not built in a day. Neither can Camp Shepard.
Vision Or Eyes Closed? Plan?
In order to provide for a property and services in an orderly, efficient and fiscally prudent manner, a phased approach should have been completed. With our current bonding level, the Town's options to bond for this initiative are limited (consider we are building an athletic complex without bonding because it is "free"). Our financing sources may also be limited due to possible revenue generation, grants, and other legal matters.
- Where is the business plan?
- What are the potential revenue sources that could be gained from this property?
- Cost/benefits to the Town, residents and visitors?
- Where is the vision of the "final look" of the property? And how it could be phased in due to budget, funding and logistical details?
From listening to the dialogue of the meeting, none. In fact on many occasions, the discussion moved to the subject of a "grand opening". The discussion continued to a ... soft opening, how will we do it, no electrical service on the property, and a date to cut the ribbon.
Cutting the ribbon to what?
Shiny Bobble Theory
In my time being involved with Town committees, I have seen one common theme over the past 12 years. I call it the "Shiny Bobble" premise. It is a common strategy by business and political leaders to focus on the "headliner" types of projects that gain the front page of the newspaper with pictures and accolades. To focus on "visible" projects that gain the attention and popularity with residents and voters.
On countless occasions, several initiatives (proposals, analysis, budgets, issues) have been raised for crucial capital, education and infrastructure. Some did not move forward or receive any attention. Items such as leaky roofs, falling chimneys, cracked tracks, etc that needed attention.
Camp Shepard is the next "Shiny Bobble".
Missed Opportunties
One of the suggestions from my August 2022 comments focused on gaining public comments, thoughts, and ideas for this important initiative. If you review my discussion, I provided details how this could be accomplished.
From the March 28 meeting, there was no discussion or presentation of any information associated with public comments and thoughts.
- One of the discussions at the meetings focused that all of the scheduled tours for the property last year were "sold out". That fact clearly indicates that there is interest from the residents. Great! So ...
- Why did the Town leaders not create an opportunity at these events to canvas and chat with people on their ideas while they were touring? An informal focus group.
- Why did the Town miss this opportunity to invite people to an event to gain comments and thoughts in a more structured, formal focus group?
- Use this event to ask people who would be interested in joining the future committee?
Per the Observer (August 25, 2022), one committee member said "the subcommittee is always looking for input and community involvement while opening the facility up for recreational use. He said there are no current plans to sell lots along Colwell Road, saying the subcommittee is more interested in creating a recreational space and is not sure of the frontage and how far those lots infringe on the trails."
The Town should not place a passive statement as such asking for input. On an initiative as significant (and potentially expensive) as this, there should have been a formal process to compile thoughts and ideas.
After gaining input, best practices, composing alternatives with associated costs, this process would have been better served by presenting alternative phases (vision) in a public forum to provide additional input before deciding on the plan and officially Phase 1.
Best Practices
In my consulting and education careers, I often use the "best practices" theory. Ultimately, someone (or business) has probably attempted or completed what I am attempting to accomplish.
In the case of the Camp initiative, this is a perfect opportunity. Presently, I serve on my third Smithfield Board. In all experiences, I often discuss that we should seek and research best practices. Currently, the performance audit (that will be coming soon). On the EDC, I asked the committee to find best practices for business and mixed-use development for the Route 7 EGO "initiative". That suggestion was not embraced by Town officials. Why? Probably does it may conflict with various owners and constituencies.
In my career travels, when people avoid best practices, it is usually several reasons: 1) ego 2) parochialism, and/or 3) they believe they know more than everyone else. Other people (and towns/cities) may be more experienced than us. We have many qualified and skilled people in our Town, just better decisions and/or planning need to be done.
- Just ask any town that has completed (or tried) to complete a park initiative two simple questions ... 1) What specific actions, in retrospect, would you do differently? 2) What actions or decisions do you believe created a successful outcome? Imagine what you could find.
- What are people so afraid of? Doing it right? Avoiding mistakes? Leveraging what other similar initiatives learned and accomplished?
For now ...
Much more to write and discuss. The next edition of this subject will be published soon. Stay tuned.
