In the two years I served as mayor of Columbia, two questions have repeatedly occurred to me: “Is this job what you expected?” and “Who would do this for $9,000 a year?”
My answer to the first question is yes (with a few caveats). My answer to the second is because the call to public service is one of the most important calls one can answer. Running for mayor was not part of a career strategy or a step up the political ladder; it was a response to a call to action. Columbia is not just the place I live; it is my home and my family. Being mayor is an opportunity to serve the place I love.
As mayor, I am guided by three core values - values that form the basis of every decision I make. They are: service, trust and joy.
Service is at the heart of my role. Service means working for the common good, sometimes at the expense of one’s own goals or popularity. It means not pushing an ideology, agenda, or self-interest. It requires a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others. For me, service is not just a duty, it is a passion.
I have inherited decisions made by previous mayors (such as Hindman’s enviable bike infrastructure or McDavid and Treece’s passion for airport expansion). I believe that our job as mayor is to serve our community by making investments that will benefit generations. I want to pass a lighter baton to those who come after me.
I also believe that Columbia needs to be a place where people who have been historically excluded have the opportunity to get involved. That’s why I’ve worked to increase the diversity of representation on our boards and commissions and support the City Manager’s proposed Community Connectors program, which gives neighborhood leaders the opportunity to add their voices to city discussions.
Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and the relationship between the public and the City is no exception. Not only do I want trust, but I also trust others when they come to me with their life experiences or, in the case of City employees, their expertise. Being able to attend community events and receive daily updates from employees helps build those relationships and trust.
I believe communication is an essential part of building trust, so it’s important for me to answer emails, return calls, and take time to sit down with people over a cup of coffee. That’s also why I’ve championed communication with city departments. We’re fortunate to have staff who bring so much expertise and institutional knowledge. But it’s critical that the city communicates about upcoming projects and asks the public for input.
The city also needs to admit when it is not achieving its goals and explain why. Otherwise, people will feel that their needs are not being met. Projects are most successful when they incorporate professional advice and people’s life experiences.
Finally, joy is an essential part of public service. As mayor, I experience joy every day. Joy comes from the pride I have in our city. Joy comes from witnessing the hard work so many people do here to make the city a better place to live. Joy comes from working with others to overcome challenges and celebrate our city’s successes. I believe one of my duties as mayor is to pass that joy on to others.
My role as mayor is defined by a commitment to service, trust and joy. These values guide every decision I make and every action I take. I believe that together we can build a Columbia where service is the standard, trust is the norm and joy is the reward of a beloved community.
Barbara Buffaloe is currently serving her first term as mayor of Columbia.
