Leadership is about building relationships

There are times when I wear several hats in our community, but today I write simply as Janet Crow, your Howell County Collector.

 

When I was elected, I made a commitment to do more than simply collect taxes. My first responsibility is to administer the Collector's office according to Missouri law. The statutes governing my office are clear. There is very little gray area. My duty is to follow those laws fairly, consistently, and equally for every citizen.

 

But I have always believed being an elected official carries responsibilities beyond the walls of the courthouse.

 

We were elected to serve people—not offices.

 

That means engaging with our cities, our county government, our schools, our businesses, our civic organizations, and our state leaders. It means building relationships, listening to different ideas, and being willing to step outside our comfort zones when our community needs us.

 

Some people are comfortable staying within a small circle of familiar voices. I've never believed that's how real progress happens.

 

The best ideas rarely come from one person. They come from people who are willing to sit around the same table, listen to one another, and work toward a common goal.

 

One of the best examples of that is the Provalus project coming to West Plains.

 

This opportunity represents more than 200 quality jobs for our community and our region. Projects like this don't happen because of one individual. They happen because city officials, county officials, economic development leaders, business owners, legislators, and citizens all decide they are going to pull in the same direction.

 

There were countless meetings, phone calls, and conversations over many months. There were obstacles along the way. There were funding challenges. There were moments when people simply refused to give up.

 

When city leaders needed help communicating with people in Jefferson City, I was happy to help however I could. That wasn't my project. It wasn't my responsibility. But it was my community. That's what public service should look like.

No one deserves all the credit for Provalus because it truly was a team effort. Emily Gibson, the City of West Plains, economic development leaders, county officials, legislators, and many others worked tirelessly to bring this opportunity home.

 

However, I would be remiss if I didn't recognize one individual whose efforts deserve special thanks.

 

State Representative Bennie Cook demonstrated exactly what servant leadership should look like. Even though this project was outside the boundaries of his legislative district, he stayed engaged from beginning to end. He worked diligently behind the scenes and fought to help keep this project in the Governor's budget when it mattered most.

 

That kind of leadership deserves recognition. Representative Cook didn't ask whether this project was inside his district. He recognized that economic growth for one Missouri community strengthens the entire region. His willingness to step forward and help when he wasn't obligated to do so is something our community should appreciate. For that, I offer him my sincere thanks.

 

Leadership has never been about receiving recognition. Leadership is about showing up. It's about building relationships before you need them. It's about working with everyone—not just those who already agree with you. It's about putting the interests of your community ahead of personal recognition.

 

I hope we never become a community that limits itself to a handful of voices. Howell County is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table and everyone is willing to work together.

 

Relationships matter. Collaboration matters. Showing up matters.

 

If we continue doing those three things, I have no doubt the future of Howell County is bright.

 

Janet Crow

Howell County Collector