Consistent & Honest - These two are all that matter

Consistent & Honest

These two are all that matter


Our house was on a hill, easily seen as you drove in to the development's main entrance. We'd chosen the lot because being on a hill would give us the ability to see the horizon. Every one of the 1,000 plus houses in the development would look the same, but each would be home to a different set of people and people make a difference.

A homeowners association was formed and initially financed by the developer. I was one of about 30 attending the first meeting. We introduced our selves one by one and got acquainted. When I got home Amy asked,

"How did it go?"

"Okay, I guess; I was elected president."

"How did that happen."

"I don't know."

Today, I cannot remember how it happened. I served in that position for 18 months with a dedicated team of officers and Directors, who strove to help new residents feel at home and appreciated. This was our goal, it wasn't always easy as board meeting attendance grew to 130 plus and the community grew by 20 homes a month. We knew a change in structure was needed and guided the community to vote for incorporation as a city. In the evening a few days after that vote, our six year old son looked out the front window and said

"Daddy, there are lot of people at the door."

There were 27 and they asked me to run for Mayor.

They told me they wanted me to run because I had been consistent in striving to do what was best for the community as a whole. That evening, in our very crowded living room, a lot was said to educate me on why I should be the first Mayor, but two words I never forgot were consistent and honest. The message I never forgot was that I had always worked for the community good, not my own. Dad had said, "Always think about what is best for the other fellow and do not give him less."

I accepted the challenge after Amy and I talked it over with Him. I campaigned by meeting every soul that could vote, in many different living rooms in the evening and weekend coffee klatches. It was fun, hard work, and thankfully, I lost by three votes: Always wondered who the three were.

The winner made a lot of promises and told a lot of half-truths during the campaign, I said nothing to refute them. He had never served as a community director, but claimed he knew the facts. Eight months after he took office, a recall election kicked him out. I had been promoted and moved to another city, by that time.


I was reminded of this life experience while watching the nominating process in Iowa this week. The people that participated in that process seemed to think those two words and what my Dad said were very important. I know they have served me well in business and personal relationships. Dads complete saying was " When you are selling do not think about your wallet; always think about what is best for the other fellow and do not give him less. Then your wallet will always be full."

Based on my life experience, He should have said, then your wallet, and your life, will always be full.


Wesley (Wes) Zimmerman