There are many voices weighing in on the SEDA (Southeast Development Area) decision. Every party has a valid point. The challenge is considering them all in view of the big picture and a future that will impact us all.

Thirty years ago, few people believed anything would change. When I moved here, I was shocked by the corruption, exploitation and suffering allowed in the so-called Golden State.

Having served as a criminal defense attorney, worked nationally in the addiction field and led Common Cause MN for a decade, I was overwhelmed.

A handful of business leaders and Dr. John Welty, Fresno State’s president at the time, decided to do something about it. My unlikely hire — “she’s different” — set the stage for learning a new way to conduct community business. We call it civic stewardship.

It takes time to go from looking through one lens to considering the whole community, whether you are a business leader, physician, educator or nonprofit leader. It’s humbling to realize decisions made through one lens often outsource costs to others immediately or compound them over years.

Fresno, our region, is being recognized as innovative, scrappy and hands-on because the people who live here are stepping up across many issues. Going from believing nothing would ever change to having confidence that it can — and taking responsibility for that change — is another journey.

I am a philosopher. I was told at 12 if I didn’t like the world the way it was, I would have to learn to think or be condemned to live in a world created by others. I believed it and decided to major in philosophy, get a law degree to have a platform to act, and write about it so I could share what I have learned.

Along the way, I realized our thinking is distorted by the traumas and social conditioning we experience as children. Thus, learning to think requires understanding our biases and influences. This, too, is a journey. I started on it in my 20s.

I have learned to trust those who have taken all of these journeys. These are the leaders who demonstrate character, competence and caring.

Two leaders I have known for decades stand out in this regard — Mayor Jerry Dyer and Pete Weber.

Having been police chief for years, Mayor Dyer knows more about the darkness in Fresno than anyone. He loves our community. He understands what happens to youth without choices.

Pete Weber grew up in Peru. He understands poverty in ways those of us in the States can never know. He knew he could do nothing about the poverty in his homeland. Upon retirement, he vowed to deal with it in our region. His leadership, mentoring, philanthropy and impact are immeasurable.

We are a republic for a reason. While everyone has a voice, those in decision-making positions are challenged to advance the common good. This requires courage.

I trust Mayor Dyer and Pete Weber and live in gratitude that they have committed their lives to serving us.

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Deborah Nankivell is director of the Fresno Stewardship Foundation. She can be reached by email.