Crime

Crime continues to rise in Allegany County based a recent Baltimore Sun newspaper article.  Twenty-one of twenty four counties in Maryland have seen a decrease in crime since 1975; unfortunately, Allegany County isn't one of them.  We are experiencing a 10% increase over last year in the overall crime rate. 

Our major issue is property crime to support the ever increasing drug problem that has found its way to Western Maryland.  In addition, Maryland has a much more generous offering of welfare-related entitlements than surrounding states and it is much easier access to such entitlements here as opposed to other parts of the State.  Add to that, three prisons in Allegany County, (two State Prisons and one Federal Prison) with friends and family members following the prisoners to the region, again with easier access to benefits, we are seeing an increase in overall crime.  Prison officials have challenged such thinking in the past and I was on board with that thinking.  Not anymore.  We are seeing an influx of urban criminals who are committing pretty violent crimes.  It is too much for a coincidence.  We also have a struggling economy in Western Maryland adding to the problem.  Do I still feel safe living in Western Maryland?  I do, but I find myself taking more precautions than ever before.

What is 95210?

It is more than just the zip code for Stockton, California.   It also is an innovative formula to help children and teens live a healthier lifestyle.  The 9-5-2-1-0 habits include:  9 hours of sleep per day; 5 servings of fruits and vegetables; 2 hours or less of screen time outside of school; 1 hour of physical activity a day; and 0 sugar-added beverages. 

WMHS is one of many organizations in our community collaborating to support healthy food and beverage choices and encourage physical activity among children and families.   This group, Make Healthy Choices Easy, has a number of other initiatives underway to promote better health.

The best way to teach kids healthy habits is for adults to model safe and healthy choices every day.  We all can serve as role models—and improve our own health, too.

WMHS Golf Tournament

Today, we had the 15th annual Western Maryland Health System Golf Tournament at The Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Rocky Gap and at the Cumberland Country Club. This event continues to be an overwhelming success even during challenging economic times due to the hard work of a lot of people. Great job everyone and thanks for your dedication to the event, the WMHS Foundation and the Health System.

The Amazing Effects of Drug Abuse

This morning I was reading an article on a Chicago radio station's website and something caught my eye.  There were a series of before and after mug shots of convicted drug abusers. The change in the appearances of each was unbelievable. Significant weight loss, facial contortions, open facial sores, aging, loss of teeth, wrinkles and hair loss were the most prevalent and in many cases over a very short period of time.  Based on the above, I would assume that crystal meth was the drug of choice with the open sores and loss of teeth.   The photos are amazing in that some of the appearances changed so dramatically in just a few months.  This is idea that health departments, colleges / universities, public safety organizations, middle and high schools, boys and girls clubs and the list goes on should be sharing with both young people and adults.  What a powerful  message!

Mentors

I have written before regarding mentors and their importance in developing staff, primarily up and comers.  Mentors come in all shapes, sizes and ages.  Especially for social media related knowledge, younger people have a vast knowledge.  I would encourage you to seek out a young adult who has the knowledge and expertise in the vast arena of social media.  In addition to my social media savvy daughters, we have added very knowledgeable staff at WMHS who are doing some remarkable things with website development, Facebook, Twitter, creating micro sites and the list goes on.   What these individuals know is amazing and you can learn so much.

Credibility

I just starting reading a new book, "Credibility: How Leaders Gain and Lose It; Why People Demand It" by James Kouzes and Barry Posner.  So far, it is an interesting read.  One item that I found interesting was the piece on Characteristics of Admired Leaders Around the World.  The four characteristics measured were Honesty, Forward Thinking, Inspiration and Competence.  The US ranked honesty first, forward thinking second, inspiration third and competence fourth.  What I found interesting is that the other 14 countries surveyed, three ranked the characteristics the same as the US.   They were Australia, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.  Singapore ranked honesty last with inspiration first.  China, Scandinavia and Turkey had honesty third, with inspiration first for China and Scandinavia and forward thinking first for Turkey. 

Personally, I agree with the US ranking, I might quibble with 3 and 4, but feel that honesty is absolutely critical for any leader.  A leader has to have earned the trust of those who are expected to follow.  In the past, I have fired two executives who were competent, inspiring and forward thinking, but dishonest.  They both would tell me what they thought I wanted to hear versus what was actually happening.  Also, if they were lying to me, then they were lying to everyone and how can anyone follow someone who is dishonest, especially in a values based organization.   I will keep you posted on other aspects of the book, but so far it's a very good read.

Remembering 9/11

I was a mess yesterday.  Every time I turned on the TV or listened to the radio and heard another harrowing account of what happened on September 11, 2001, tears would well up in my eyes and my nose would run.  It is absolutely unbelievable as to what these people had to endure, the police, the firefighters, the Mayor of NYC, the President of the US, the families, the injured and the list goes on.  I pray to God that our country doesn't have to endure another September 11.