If you are seeing this message, please allow your browser to run java scripts.
|
I have served as a City Councilmember of our small town of Greenwood Village, population 100,000 during the day and 15,000 during the night. It is the home to the Denver Technological Center, Greenwood Plaza Business Park and other surrounding business centers. Along the way, I have learned a few things about municipal government and thought it might be helpful to others to know what I've learned. |
Lessons That I’ve Learned as a City Councilmember
Keep
an open mind and be willing to change. Don’t prejudge things.
Don’t take things personally and don’t 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. An individual
Councilmember can not solve a specific problem; the staff is responsible and
accountable for doing that.
A Councilmember should work to give the staff the tools and resources they
need to do their job. Then, they should not interfere.
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. Take advantage of their
knowledge.
Well run cities focus on customer service, just like well run
companies.
A Councilmember should treat everyone with respect because everyone
deserves it, even lawbreakers and other elected officials.
Don't build walls when you need to build bridges.
Return calls and reply to emails and letters, especially from people
who think you're an idiot.
Listen more and talk less.
Some statements or allegations do not need to be challenged or debated.
Sometimes people just need to be heard and understood.
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.
Take a long-term view of things and ask yourself if people will approve of your
decisions many years after you're dead.
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.
I am serving to benefit others and no one is serving to benefit
me.
Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur