Reflections of a City Manager: Part 1
Retiring City Manager Robert Bell on leaving his role
As I go through my last few weeks as City Manager of Redwood City, I will be sharing my thoughts and reflections about this great community and strong city organization.
When I think of leaving Redwood City my emotions run the full gamut — from sadness to excitement. The excitement is easy to explain: my next chapter will be one of a slower pace, an opportunity to spend more time with friends and family, travel more and work on my own terms! I mean who wouldn’t want that, right? Then why is there sadness, too? Why is it when I think of leaving I literally feel my heart filled with what seems to be lead? Why when I think of my last day in Redwood City does my throat get a lump in the size of Jupiter as my eyes tear up with what feels like enough water to solve our drought? This is supposed to be a happy time, right?
But maybe the sadness is easy to explain as well. I will be leaving people and a community I have grown to love. When you’re part of something as big as a community like Redwood City, it becomes part of you and you it. The thought of no longer being a member of this grand city SHOULD overwhelm me with emotion. So many questions come to mind — who will value me like those in this organization and community? Will I feel a sense of belonging and significance like I do in Redwood City? The best part of my job isn’t being in an official leadership role or exercising power and authority. The best part of my job is this community. This community has welcomed me, made me feel appreciated and respected me as a person. Those are the gifts that Redwood City gives to this job and to me personally. That’s not always the case in city manager positions and I know I have been truly blessed. When I remind myself of all this community has given me, I realize this community will always be part of me and for that I am a better person. I will always be appreciative of this wonderful city and that helps some of the sadness dissipate.
As I share my reflections about this community and organization, I want the world to know how special this community is and what wonderful people make up Redwood City. I want to share my appreciation for the City Council, the amazing staff that serves Redwood City and the wonderful people that are Redwood City. From the Chamber of Commerce to the Library Foundation to the faith community, we all achieve Redwood City’s core purpose — Build a Great Community Together.
I will be writing more about this in the next few weeks and I thank you for indulging me as I embark on this cathartic process!
Bob Bell
