Carol Anne Costa: Way to Go #39

Carol Anne Costa: Way to Go #39

As GoLocalProv rolls out the state’s best communities keep in mind that rankings do not always tell the whole story. Just like some people soar on paper and flop in realty. While I do find that a ranking system based on certain touch-tones is a valuable assessment tool- it provides a measure for which cities and towns can focus- many communities also have intangibles and strategies that may move their cities and towns ahead in a way that keeps local controls and celebrates hometown heritage and culture. It is also crucial to mention that as a state, we sink or swim based on the individual success or failure of our 39 cities and towns, for they are the spine on which Rhode Island as a whole relies for support. As Rhode Islanders we are truly fortunate, as we are each a walk, bus ride or day trip that provides the opportunity to discover our diversity in people, places, foods, customs and cultures. From the oceans to the orchards we are in fact, a very rich place. That richness percolates up from the villages and hamlets that make up our home state.  For me, every city and town, in one way or another, is #1. The  question remains how can we empower each city and town to improve and be a critical piece in the desperate need to revive our beloved RI?

Is greatness in our future?

It was Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, who through the examination of 1,435 “good” companies for 40 years, found the 11 companies that became great, and his revelations may hold solid advice for cities and towns looking to move visions forward. I am a fan of the flywheel analogy used by Collins; comparing a huge, heavy flywheel at a standstill and the awareness it will take herculean efforts to start to move it, but once you get it going...lookout. So rankings schmankings- for a minute, let us turn away from the “rankings” and  dig a little deeper. Central Falls is a prime example of moving that flywheel,and although positioned in the #39 spot, this is a city on the move. So many of CF’s folks, from many different constituencies are putting their shoulder to the flywheel and pushing mightily, and that wheel is beginning to move. Did you know that the Central Falls Housing Authority- under the leadership of Tina Sullivan- was just bestowed by National Association of  Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) 3 awards of Merit for its visionary programs? Remember it takes 2 1/2 full time jobs to afford fair market rent, so helping ease the housing crunch is a powerful push on that flywheel. The Segue Institute for Learning earned the 2013-14 Whole Child Recognition School award, there is another push. Scientist turned Central Falls Science Teacher David Upegui was recently awarded for teaching excellence from RI Biotech company, Amgen, there is another push. Central Falls native and award winning actress Viola Davis has returned often to her hometown to encourage, support, and push on the flywheel herself. Every push matters.

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Collins concludes in part in Good To Great  “Companies that make the change from good to great have no name for their transformation- and absolutely no program. They neither rant nor rave about a crisis- and they don't manufacture one where none exists. They don't “motivate” people- their people are self-motivated. There’s no evidence of a connection between money and change mastery. And fear doesn't drive change- but it does perpetuate mediocrity.” “...The triumph of the Flywheel Effect over the Doom Loop, the victory of steadfast discipline over the quick fix.” I think Mayor Diossa read this book! Each accomplishment garnered in Central Falls is a nudge and push on that flywheel. Kudos to Mayor James Diossa and the able self motivated team assembled on the ground in CF, as I see it, they are a model for transformation, they are on a path to great, that flywheel beginning to crank. As I see it, look to #39 for inspiration, for they are moving.  

Out of many, one

The quote from The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, "For the forest to be green, each tree must be green." cuts to the heart of our nation's motto, E Pluribus Unum. Our collective power lives on every street in the state, embodied in the individuals who reside there; the rich, the poor, the employed, the unemployed, the underemployed, the homeless, the charitable, the capitalists, the inventors, the entrepreneurs, the scientists, the voters, and even the politicians. I am confident that each of the candidates vying to be RI’s next Governor are keenly aware of the importance of strengthening our cities and towns from the ground up. As well as, seizing on the the principle that “all politics is local”. And, those localities make policies and drive ideas which impact growth, jobs and the economy in small and big ways- for the good, the bad, and the ugly. We green the forest one tree at a time and we make our communities better by building on accomplishments, leaning in and pushing ideas, #39 knows.

Saint Jerome said, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best.” My mother used this expression frequently in my formative years, and to this day I hear her repeating it as if to constantly convince me that onward and upward is the only way forward. Perhaps Saint Jerome and my dear departed mother have something constructive here and with that saying fresh in our minds, as a source of energy we will reignite the “can do” spirit that Rhode Island shall yet again harness, I know CF has- way to go #39! 

Carol Costa is a public relations and community outreach specialist; she has experience in both the public and private sectors. She is the Chairwoman of the Scituate Democratic Town Committee and has extensive community affairs and public relations experience. She previously served in the Rhode Island Judiciary for nearly 17 years. Carol also enjoyed a successful development stint at the Diocese of Providence as Associate Director for Catholic Education and is currently the Executive Director of the Warren Housing Authority. Her work has been published in several local outlets including GoLocal, Valley Breeze, The Rhode Island Catholic, and Currents Magazine.