The Power of Teamwork in Columbia  

As I sit down to reflect on the essence of our community, one word comes to mind: Teamwork. The sight of my son’s fifth-grade basketball team giving it their all during the district semi-finals brought this concept to life for me. Although they didn’t emerge victorious, their spirit and support for each other was contagious. These young athletes demonstrated that success is not always measured by the scoreboard, but by the collective effort and encouragement that each player gave one another.  

This experience mirrors the approach we take at City Hall, where the drive for progress and improvement is grounded in collaboration.  

In times like ours where it seems divisiveness is the new normal, I have the privilege of serving on the team known as the Columbia City Council. We are a diverse group of individual volunteers elected to represent the interests of our residents. Like state and national politicians, each council member brings unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table. 

Unlike what you see in most state and national politicians, it’s obvious that we know it’s only through collaboration and a shared commitment to the common good that we can achieve meaningful progress. The Council must work as a team, setting aside personal differences and political agendas to focus on the needs of our community. Like a team holds practices and studies other teams’ best moves, the City Council meets often with each other and the city staff in work sessions to find out all the options we have and background knowledge we need to know before going into a regular City Council meeting to vote. 

Our teamwork extends beyond the council chambers and into our interactions with city staff. The dedication and hard work of our city employees are the backbone of our community’s success. Whether it’s public works managing our transportation networks, the parks and recreation team enhancing our parks and trails, or our police department ensuring our safety, it’s a collaborative effort and I am proud of the work I see them doing. 

Just this summer I was witness to the strong teamwork I saw between our employees in the electric utility after severe thunderstorms interrupted service to customers. Alongside staff from public works, they cleared downed trees and other storm debris so that residents could go about their normal day with minimal disruption. 

Our community also exemplifies teamwork in numerous volunteer projects that make Columbia a better place to live. Take “Cleanup Columbia,” for instance. Every year, hundreds of residents of all ages come together to pick up litter, beautify parks, and enhance public spaces. This citywide event underscores the importance of collective action and the positive impact we can make when we pool our resources and efforts. 

Looking ahead, there are many opportunities for us to build on this foundation of teamwork. As we plan for future housing needs, collaborations to address community violence, and opportunities to advocate for Columbia at a regional and federal level, Columbians will have multiple options for becoming a team player on Team Columbia. We must remember that teamwork is not just a buzzword; it is the lifeblood of our city’s success. It’s what makes it possible for us to work together and support one another, even when a loss is on the court. 

Let us continue to embody the spirit of collaboration, knowing that together, we can build a thriving, resilient, and inclusive community for everyone.  

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Barbara Buffaloe currently is serving her first term in office as the mayor of Columbia.