"With" is Not a Four-Letter Word

The agenda of the Finance and Operations committee meeting for Monday, June 13 contains these items:
4. Communication to the Public about the Proposed 2005-06 Budget
6. Nontraditional Communication Strategies to Speak to Community Stakeholders.

Mark Twain once remarked: "The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightening and the lightening bug."

For me, "communication to" and "speak to" is vastly different than "communication with" and "speak with" -- like the difference between "lightening" and "lightening bug".

I can hear the failed referenda supporters and the supporting press editorials: Just needed a little better PR.

"With" has this strong flavor of team work, working together, listening: dialog!. "To?" Well, that has been the legacy of the Administration and Board.

But, no, folks. "With" is not a four-letter word. It needs to be used, again and again, until it becomes part of the Administration's and Board's culture.

Posted by Larry Winkler at June 10, 2005 8:11 PM
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