Jerry Presley

The Mayor is the presiding officer and a Councilmember should agree to be led by the Mayor on all procedural matters. 

Keep an open mind and be willing to change. Don’t prejudge things.

A Councilmember should treat everyone with respect because everyone deserves it, even lawbreakers, gadflies and other elected officials.

Disagreement and debate is positive and expected. Reasonable people can look at the same set of facts and reach a different conclusion. An effective Council is composed of members who are able to agree to disagree and Councilmembers should not take things personally or make things personal.

Trust in government, at all levels, is low. This makes trust in people even more important.  

The City Council establishes policy and direction. The city staff carries out the policy and direction. It's important to understand the difference between making policy and implementing policy. The Council solves global problems not specific problems. The staff is responsible and accountable for solving specific problems.    

A Councilmember should work to provide the tools and resources the staff needs to do their job. After that, a Councilmember should not interfere.

Councilmembers should keep things in perspective. We honor our small role when we do what’s right and help make our community a better place. We should aspire to make a lasting difference in people’s lives but the reality is that many of the things we do are inconsequential. The importance of a Councilmember should not be inflated. I am simply a resident who was selected by my neighbors to look out for our collective best interest. 

The city staff knows more about city government than I do. I already have a full time job and this is a second, night-time job for me. It’s a full time job for them. I am a citizen solider and they are career professionals. Make your own independent decisions but take advantage of their knowledge when doing so. 

Well run cities focus on customer service, just like well run companies. Since cities are monopolies, it's surprising when they don't act like one. 

Measuring Outcomes is more enlightened than measuring Outputs. 

Don't build walls when you need to build bridges. However, some people don't want bridges, they want walls. Don't try to impose your values on other people and don't try connecting to people who don't want to connect. 

Return calls and reply to emails and letters, especially from people who think you're an idiot. 

Some statements or allegations do not need to be challenged or debated. Sometimes people just need to be heard and understood.  

Understand the difference between the role of a Buyer and a Seller. Generally, a Councilmember is a Buyer of ideas and has the right to cast a vote. While it might be appropriate in some cases to negotiate with a Seller, there is zero need for a Councilmember to argue with a Seller. A Seller doesn't vote.  

Listen more and talk less.

Ask more questions and make fewer statements.

Be clear and concise when talking.

Don’t interrupt when someone else has the floor. Let them speak their mind.  

Be consistent.

Be prepared by reading the packet of material before the Council meeting.

Use good judgment when making decisions and do what you think is right, not what is politically easy. Don't let a crowd with pitch forks sway good judgment. 

Take a long-term view of things and ask yourself if people will approve of a decision many years after you're dead. What is the impact of a decision made today, in the year 2060? 

Transparency and openness of government is good. Oppose any attempt otherwise.  

Remember that the collective wisdom of the Council is far better than any one Councilmember. This is especially important to remember when you're on the short end of a 7-1 Council vote. After a decision is made, a Councilmember on the short end of a vote should accept the decision and move on.  

Elected officials should eat humble pie every now and then. 

A Councilmember should enjoy the job and should contribute to the enjoyment by other Councilmembers.

I am serving to benefit others and no one is serving to benefit me.    

The voters are always right. Be proud of the process if you are elected and equally as proud if you are not.