It is with genuine sorrow that I prepare this post. Twelve public servants, a local businessman, and another man clearly struggling with his own personal issues, senselessly dead in a nearby community.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education engineers, technicians, clerks, administrators all just going about their normal business— fellow virginians. Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and friends lost to their families forever.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education

Beyond the sorrow, beyond the senselessness, we must retain hope and even more so, resolve—resolve that this cannot be the norm. We cannot accept that people going about their daily routines don’t come home, that individuals suffering with mental illness don’t receive the help they need, that guns are how disagreements are settled, that women and children aren’t safe in their homes and neighborhoods.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education we must together resolve that this will not be the new norm. We must resolve that compassion, empathy, and decency will remain the values we embrace and insist upon nothing less from ourselves and others.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education

Even before these most recent events, the mayor and council asked a group of citizens to help facilitate a community conversation about how gun violence may be curbed in our community.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education yet another group of citizens and faith leaders are making plans to help us all remember the many victims affected by gun violence that has occurred in our city.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education and, of course, our dedicated law enforcement officers will continue to do all they can to keep us safe, help when tragedy strikes, and conduct the necessary investigations to see that justice is served.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education

Most everyone hates the disruption that construction projects cause, whether the project is in our homes, our places of work, or our city. Yet such projects are necessary to fix what is broken, grow or expand to meet new opportunities, or give new or extended life to an aging structure or facility.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education in the case of our city, these construction projects are often essential for our well-being and economic success.

At any given time, our city is likely to have streets, water lines, storm sewers, gas lines, sidewalks, or buildings under construction.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education locations of current public works capital improvement projects are shown on this map. In some instances, essentially all of these will be under construction at the same time in the same area.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education many of these projects are partnerships between different entities including the virginia department of transportation, the western virginia water authority, roanoke gas, appalachian electric power and, of course, the city of roanoke.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education though at times it may seem otherwise to those that live alongside one of these projects, the combining of projects actually is less disruptive in the long run and much less costly than if each project were done separately.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education this type of coordination takes a great deal of planning and cooperation well before any actual work begins, and involves any number of elected officials, appointed boards, and others.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education

One of the most misunderstood aspects of public construction projects is that very little of the work performed is done by public employees--be they city, water authority, or VDOT workers.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education the days of major construction projects being performed by public employees ended long ago as a part of privatization efforts that swept the nation beginning in the 1980’s, the thinking being that private companies would deliver such projects faster and more cost effectively.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education in general, this system works well. But it does require an understanding that while the “owner” of the project sets the overall timeline—how long a project will be allowed to take or how many total days the contractor has to complete the work—the contractor establishes how the work will be performed on a daily basis.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education the contractor, not the owner, decides how many people will be on-site at a given time and what work will be performed each day. An owner can shorten the time allowed for a project, but it will come with a cost, which sometimes is prohibitive and thus not a viable option.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education the reality is that, with but a few exceptions, once a construction project begins it is “owned” by the contractor hired to complete the work and the city or water authority or VDOT have little to say about the daily work conducted on the project.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education

Though a nuisance for what seems like an unbearable length of time for some, these projects are worth it in the end. Timely projects help keep our streets safe, maintain property values, ensure our drinking water, gas, and electric remain safe and reliable, and eliminate flooding hazards.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education it may seem like there are a great deal of projects going on, and there are. And it may seem like the projects take a long time, and some do.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education in the end, our city and your neighborhood will be better for it.

Today, between the council’s 2 p.M. And 7 p.M. Meetings, there will be a reception for the members of this year’s leadership college.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education each year, a group of 20 or so city residents spend eight thursday evenings together, learning about their city and how it operates, and meeting the people who deliver the services necessary to make it successful.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education in addition to the importance of helping people understand their government, a valuable function of the leadership college is to prepare citizens for community leadership and service to the city.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education I thought with this post, I would take a few moments to share the role and importance of our many citizen boards and commissions.

Most are, of course, familiar with the mayor and city council, and recognize the important role they play in the success of the city.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education A few may even be familiar with the planning commission or the parks and recreation advisory board. But did you realize there are dozens of boards and commissions covering a myriad of topics, without which much of what we do as a city simply could not get done?Cognitive learning theory in nursing education these boards and commissions address such things as long range planning and land use, transportation planning, fair housing, recreation, economic development, social services, airport operations, arts and culture, education, and much more.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education most of these boards and commissions are made up of citizens appointed by the city council and each play a vital role.

The mayor and city council are, of course, elected and are therefore understandably responsive to political considerations.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education because they are directly accountable to the voters, they must seek out the will of the citizenry while honoring their ethical and constitutional obligations.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education this political approach requires them to be very responsive to the issues of the day. Bureaucrats, in this case city staff, are at a considerable distance from the day-to-day politics of the community.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education since they are not elected, they are able to focus on the longer view and, at times, take positions that while in the interest of the general welfare of the community, may prove unpopular.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education between these two positions often stands a board or commission member—neither politician nor bureaucrat. Board and commission members are everyday people who can temper the approach of staff while avoiding the need to venture into the immediacy of politics.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education this allows less political, more common-sense decisions to be made both in the long-term and short-term interest of the community.

With dozens of boards and commissions in existence, the council is consistently seeking new members.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education seldom does a council meeting go by where the agenda doesn’t include some discussion of board or commission membership or appointments. The council is regularly in need of interested citizens—those who are willing to learn, exercise thoughtful and fair judgment, and able to put in the work necessary to contribute to the future success of the city.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education does this sound like you? If so, click here to take a look at the opportunities that exist on the city’s website. You may also talk to the mayor or a council member about your interest, or contact the city clerk’s office, clerk@roanokeva.Gov or 853-2541, to gather additional information.Cognitive learning theory in nursing education