One of the questions I get asked all of the time is, “What will you do to get rid of the division in the City Council?”
One of the first things a leader has to do when there is a problem, is the same thing a child might do, and that is ask the question “why?”
But the question “why” must lead to a real answer.
My answer is simple.
Let’s get back to the basics of communication.
Let’s get back to listening to one another.
My focus, as Mayor, will be on creating an atmosphere in the City Council where listening, real listening happens at every meeting.
Look, let’s not kid ourselves.
Debate is an important part of government.
In fact, to have a good government, debate must thrive.
But, it can’t be used as a weapon.
That’s what creates division.
Effective debate gets people thinking.
Listening creates discussion.
In a discussion, where there is the give-and-take of ideas, people don’t have to feel defensive with each other.
This must be true even, and especially, when there are deep differences of opinion.
Which can happen on any topic that is vital to the City’s future.
I know that hitting the right note to provoke real, but non-defensive debate, is tricky.
Of course it is.
But the Council must become a safe place for debate.
Personally, I believe the problem has been ignored for way too long.
We can’t keep pretending it will eventually work itself out.
It won’t.
The fact is, the individuals that make up the City Council are doing what they believe in their hearts they should be doing.
The fact is, each of those members represent a group of people who put them in that office.
And they must be true to those people.
Does that mean that we can walk away in agreement every time?
Probably not.
But at the very least we owe it our citizens to say we can communicate with each other.
At the very least, we owe it to our citizens to say that we did everything we could to voice their opinions in an effective manner.
At the very least, we owe it to our citizens to say that we leave every meeting without losing mutual respect for one another.
The fact is, it’s not just the City that is being affected by the division in the Council.
Division has kept the Council from meeting its obligations to the County in a timely manner.
That only creates division between the City and the County.
The same taxpayers that support the city are the same people who pay taxes to the county.
Look, the truth is, from Congress on down, the people are tired of politicians arguing and failing to get things done for them.
I believe it’s time to move forward and work together.
I believe we can do better and we must do better, for the future of this community.
What will I do to get rid of the division in the City Council?
1. I will focus on making the City Council a safe place for debate.
I don’t believe that is currently being done in an effective manner.
2. I will focus on making every meeting a time when members can put their ideas out for debate, without fear of personal attack or belittlement.
I don’t believe that is currently being done in an effective manner.
3. I will encourage exploration rather than defense.
I don’t believe that is currently being done in an effective manner.
4. I will encourage us all to become larger than our differences.
I will focus on building trust between the members, a trust where we embrace our differences.
A trust where we encourage all of thinking that each Council member brings to the table.
I don’t believe that is currently being done in an effective manner.
America was founded on the principle that “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
In our case, I believe it is more accurate to say, “Divided We Fail.”
I believe we are failing the citizens of this community by working against each other.
Showing disrespect is not an acceptable form of communication for leaders.
But, good listening is