The noise of national news — especially national politics — is always loud. It’s the shiny object that holds our attention with a vice grip, shakes us up, and often leaves us at odds with each other. When we turn on the TV or scroll through social media, it’s all national politics, all the time.
But what actually changes our day-to-day lives? City government.
Rich Walker is mayor of Parkland. (courtesy, Rich Walker)
A city commission decides to fix roads or build a park. The decisions made by municipal government translate into smoother commutes to work, or a more memorable Saturday afternoon with your kids. Local government is about doing — every day. It is about how a school board uses its budget to make decisions that directly affect what goes on in our children’s classrooms. It is also about our neighbors who organize a block cleanup, tutor in our local libraries, or coach the local flag football, baseball or soccer team. They are the ones who keep things moving smoothly.
October 20-26 is Florida City Week. Established by the Florida League of Cities, City Week is an opportunity to focus on the value and reach of municipal government. This week, the city of Parkland is welcoming hundreds of third graders who are learning about the many aspects of civics education. And as a local elected official, City Week also strikes me as the perfect moment to remind adults as well that local government is our real bread and butter — not the latest happening on the national stage that is causing division among us.
Let’s be real: Those big federal moves rarely hit home right away. They take years to filter through red tape, state rules and local systems.
A trade policy could shift jobs somewhere eventually, but making sure cities have enough police and firefighters? That’s real, and it’s now.
The fix is simple: Focus on what’s close and on the ground with you. Our school board matters more to your kids than some congressional vote. Local sports teams teach kids to work together, not pick sides. Neighbors who share tools or check in during a storm — they’re the ones who’ve got our backs. Show up to a town meeting, volunteer at the library, cheer at a high school game. That’s how we keep our community strong.
National politics have their place, but when we let national politics creep into our neighborhoods, we start seeing foes instead of friends, and that’s when the real damage happens. That neighbor we give the side-eye over some social media drama? That is the same neighbor who will give us a ride in an emergency.
Let’s bet on our neighbors, our schools, our cities. That’s where real life happens, and that’s what keeps us together. If we keep our focus local, respectful and united, our community will be stronger than any national headline.
Rich Walker was elected mayor of Parkland in 2020 and re-elected in November 2022.
