I think that the idea does, indeed, have merit.
It will also be interesting to see what impact, if any, the Candidacy of Dennis Tifft will have upon the concept since that is a key point in his election campaign. Not the office, mind you, but the concept of making such contact with his constituents a focal point.
Or am I misunderstanding the thrust of what you are talking about?
(Please forgive my new-ness, here; I only just joined and I'm not familiar with the full scope of what you are talking about.)
Yours, David J Rust NorthEast Minneapolis
On Dec 29, 2004, at 2:05 AM, Cameron A. Gordon wrote:
I am interested in more comments about establishing an office of constituent
services in Minneapolis.
This somewhat old idea was recently revived by the Sabri case, and a post to the
list a few weeks ago by Aaron Neumann referring to a City Manager and what he
called a "filter between CMs and inspectors." It also came up in a Rochelle
Olson's Strib story a few weeks ago. Originally is came up as a "Duffy Report"
recommendation to create a central office of constituent services.
I recall at the time of the report that I thought the recommendation had merit.
I think it still does.
While ensuring that there will be no less accessibility to Council members from
residents and from Council members to residents (and there should be more, not
less) I think a central office offers advantages I would like to see considered
by list members and others.
1. It could help reduce the possible reality and the perception of undue
influence and unfair applications of policies and procedures by establishing
clear, transparent and fair processes citywide.
2. It could provide accurate citywide data more easily for planning and evaluation.
3. It could help equalize the expense and strain on City Council offices.
Presently there is at least the perception that in certain more "high need"
wards Council staff spend more time handling the day to day constituent services
and have less time to work on policy issues. The "lower need" ward staff are
then free to work on special projects and policy. By pooling resources into a
central office the cost of constituent service could be shared more equally, as
could the resources available to develop and promote better policy.
What do you think?
Comments appreciated, on or off list.
In peace and cooperation,
Cam Gordon
Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Minnesota Ward 2-9, SD 59B
(612) 296-0579, 339-2452
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