When things get tough, the tough get going. We have all heard this saying before. And it is so very true, especially in the wake of the tragic flooding we all experienced just three short weeks ago.

Readers know that I am quick to share my thoughts when I feel city government is making poor decisions with taxpayer monies or handling city business in a way I think they should not. So I feel the need to be as equally vocal when they are doing good things as well.

From the very beginning there were a handful of city and government officials out in the thick of things, making decisions and formulating plans to make this difficult situation a little more bearable for citizens. In a perfect world, the decisions made would have allowed citizens to not even know there had been a flood days later. But we don’t live in a perfect world and the travesty that was thrust upon us will take time and patience from all of us in order to endure.

Difficult decisions were made fully understanding that no matter what, those decisions were going to affect someone somewhere negatively. And those individuals could possibly react negatively. But that’s what strong leaders do. Make the decision and move forward.

To expect that things will get back to normal fast, after more than 50 inches of rain fell over four days is unrealistic. But to watch some of our leaders take the reigns and begin leading our city, as they all should do, was inspiring to many across our city.

Leaders that I saw multiple times a day, every day, working hard on your behalf were Mayor Derrick Freeman, District 3 Councilman Thomas Kinlaw and City Manager Brian MacDougal. They looked as though they didn’t sleep, they didn’t stop and most of all, they didn’t fail us.

They did everything from shoveling sand into bags for residents to helping others from their flooded homes and taking them to safety. They didn’t stand around watching and waiting for others to do something. This was true leadership.

There will always be those who second guess or question decisions they made, just as there will be those who use an event such as this to advance their own agendas. But for the three city leaders that I saw, those thoughts were far from their minds. The only thing they focused on and cared about was their city and the people in it.

The remaining council members may have been doing very similar things to keep our city safe, however I just didn’t see them. But if they did, I offer my thanks to a job well done.

But as for the three whom I did see, we are in good hands with this type of leadership at the helm, leadership that can bring a city together.

Great job gentlemen, great job!