"Plans are worthless, but planning is everything. There is a very great distinction because when you are planning for an emergency you must start with this one thing: the very definition of “emergency” is that it is unexpected, therefore it is not going to happen the way you are planning." General Dwight D. Eisenhower

The picture above is a stark reminder of what happens when planning exists only on paper. Snow piled up, streets became treacherous, and residents were left frustrated and unprotected. Mayor Q-Ball, eager for a win after that fiasco, loves to draft elaborate plans for every imaginable scenario. But even the most detailed plan is useless without active execution.

Active planning isn’t just about making lists. It’s about anticipating everything you might need need before a crisis hits. It means ensuring there are enough snowplows ready to roll, that crews are trained and scheduled, that supply chains and logistics are coordinated, and that backup systems are in place when primary resources fail. It’s about accepting that Murphy’s Law is real: things will go wrong, and we must be ready. Effective planning requires a careful examination of all options and contingencies. The insights gained through this process are essential for choosing the right course of action as future events unfold.

In the past, Mayor Q-Ball, the council, and former City Manager Brian Platt failed to engage in this hands-on preparation. The result was reactive, inconsistent, and ultimately ineffective responses like the one we witnessed yesterday, a slight improvement of last year, but still falling short, leaving residents frustrated and vulnerable.

I refuse to accept mediocrity. I am committed to making sure our city has the time, resources, personnel, and logistical capacity to respond effectively to any crisis. Real success comes not from plans on paper, but from action, foresight, and accountability, preparing now so we don’t scramble later.