Aggressiveness has not been a trait of Butler city government for a long time. But if the city is going to successfully resolve the challenges — financial and infrastructure — it faces, aggressiveness must begin guiding the city council’s work.

Over the years, city leaders stood by as streets, neighborhoods and recreational facilities deteriorated. Amid that they were reluctant to go to Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., to meet with representatives and bureaucrats who might have guided them to funding opportunities and new strategies.

When outside consultants made suggestions, such as regarding the police and fire departments, most were put aside and forgotten, with council members seemingly not wanting to upset the status quo.

Councils up to now have turned their back on applying for state fiscally distressed status — which could benefit the city but which also has drawbacks that could be detrimental to the city’s and county’s image.

Amid the refusal to seek the state remedy, no substantive alternative ideas have been offered.

There was reluctance for years by city officials even to admit that a fiscal crisis was looming and, more important, that it was essential for difficult, possibly controversial, measures to be implemented to halt the financial demise.

Councils have been overly influenced by downtown merchants. Although parking meters on Main Street could benefit city coffers and open parking spaces for customers, councils have not implemented the ordinance approving meters because of merchants’ fears that meters would hurt their business.

Putting a quarter in a meter at an available parking space is more palatable to shoppers than the now-routine difficulty in finding a parking place because downtown employees and business owners have their vehicles parked in what should be customer spaces.

Then there’s the issue of not enough new retail establishments being attracted to the downtown. On the basis of what they haven’t done, past councils have not done enough to attract business.

Meanwhile, this city’s government hasn’t always supported efforts within individual neighborhoods and regarding existing facilities.

One example is the former Island neighborhood bicycle rodeo, which was pushed out of existence because of pending redevelopment that remains pending after several years.

In some ways, the event seemed to be regarded as more of a nuisance than an asset in which city officials could meet parents and children of that neighborhood.

Communities looking to move forward look at all possibilities before admitting defeat. Over the years, Butler officials have been too quick to admit defeat because of their limited vision surrounding their responsibilities — and their limited efforts at finding new money sources.

And, could brainstorming by city and other community leaders have produced an operational formula and changing attractions for the Memorial Park pool to operate at a profit or at least break even? Could volunteer efforts have helped repair the pool?

Council meetings continue to be a ho-hum experience rather than providing sparks of energy and inspiration to make new, exciting things happen.

Next year will open the window for new opportunities for the city, with the election of two new council members. And, for the first time in the city’s history, the council will be dominated by women.

If that 4-1 female scenario materializes, it is to be hoped that the women-run council will produce results exceeding those of their male predecessors.

The challenge facing the four women who will control the five-member Butler City Council, beginning in January, will be to exercise sound management and the will to make the right decisions — difficult and unpopular ones when necessary.

Butler can become a better, safer, more-inviting city. But in order for that to happen, strong, committed, creative and courageous leadership must prevail, not the status quo.

The status-quo mind-set is partly responsible for the city’s current condition. The new council in 2012 must not disappoint.