Bringing about change begins with attitude, motivation and courage. It continues with insight and concensus-building.
It means developing functional business-like working relationships with peers and keeping personalities out of it. It means working to build concensus and understanding instead of acting in non-stop partisan fashion ramming through initiatives in arrogant power plays, just because you can. It means voting on each issue based on the merits of the issue itself instead of in Survivor-style alliances. It also involves bringing forward motions at public meetings, discussing why the motion is important and requesting a roll call vote so that each commissioners' vote goes on the 'conveniently available' record-- even if you know the motion will fail. On-the-record votes are key to the citizenry holding elected representatives accountable. I don't have the complete roadmap for you, but here are just few steps in the right direction: * long-term online archive of minutes, agendas, budgets, financials and meeting webcasts * long-term planning instead of willy nilly * code of ethics that goes beyond statutory requirements (Scott Vreeland and I have a draft in progress) * study sessions for the policy board to learn more about issues resulting in better policy * seek assistance from League of MN Cities and LWV on best practices in governance * deep outside audit & enhanced financial controls * explicit job descriptions and personnel review This next one is my favorite: * sit down and have coffee with people you disagree with I'd also like to get the community involved in establishing expectations for what you want from your local government. I don't pretend to have all the answers. I am prepared to raise difficult questions in public meetings, though, and get discussion going. Regards, Jason Stone Diamond Lake Candidate for Park District 5 --- Rick Kuhlmann <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > So my question is: > > How are you Mr. Stone, or any candidate for PB for that matter, going to > actually change what is going on inside the MPRB? > > I think saying change is needed and bringing about that change are two > different things. > > And I am not picking on you Mr Stone but I do wish that someone would > provide a road map. > > Rick Kuhlmann > HPDL REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
