I am a den leader for Son #3's cub scout den. This means that I need to host den meetings at my house and drive other people's kids to various events. The following discussion took place as I was driving the den to the Richardson Nature Center for a field trip.
Scout one: "your car is kind of messy"
Scout two: "yeah, but his house is clean"
Scout one: "his living room is clean, but his basement is messy, too"
Scout two: "you're right, his basement is messy"
I really wanted to spank the both of them. But, i'm pretty sure my den leader training manual says that I can't.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
the slow death of the budget advisory commission
I first mentioned the idea of a budget advisory commission in early 2006 when I was a council member. I mentioned it during a "council member report" at the end of a council meeting and suggested that we discuss the concept further at the next council meeting. I was surprised that every member of the council (at least initially) thought it was a good idea.
What followed was a lesson in politics as three of our council members changed their minds by the time of the next council meeting and the idea was killed. I remember smiling to myself as I heard each of three opponents voice the same concerns about having a citizen group involved in our budgeting process.
I wasn't too troubled by the council's change in direction because it was really a no-lose situation--if they agreed with me then I could take the credit for creating the commission; conversely, if they disagreed with me I had a nice talking point for the upcoming mayoral campaign.
The budget advisory commission was established in 2007, following my election as mayor in the fall of 2006. The BAC was filled with pretty high octane folks who spent a lot of time studying our budget and making recommendations to the city council.
City staff never liked the BAC. More about that later.
That the BAC made recommendations which the council adopted was a bonus as to me the real beauty of the BAC was that it made our budgeting process far more open to our residents and taxpayers.
Not everyone wanted that kind of openness, though. Some would rather that certain issues not be publicly discussed. Some complained that the BAC's recommendations were infringing on the council's obligation to make policy for the city.
It's this last point--that the BAC was infringing on policy--that prompted this post as I read in the local paper last week that the new council intends to re-focus the BAC because of this supposed concern.
The city has many commissions--planning, park and rec, conservation, human rights, and a few others. Each of these commissions, if they are to do anything useful, "infringes" on city policy as part of their work. They always have and they always will. The important point, though, is that each of these commissions can only make recommendations to the council--this is the important distinction to keep in mind. It is for the council to consider and then accept or reject any "policy" recommendation. And, the council has accepted or rejected recommendations from all of its commissions.
The politicians on the city council are too smart to disband the BAC--that would be too easy an action to criticize. So, when you hear people say that the BAC needs to be re-directed to keep it away from "policy" issues that's just political speak for killing the BAC. I think that's a shame.
What followed was a lesson in politics as three of our council members changed their minds by the time of the next council meeting and the idea was killed. I remember smiling to myself as I heard each of three opponents voice the same concerns about having a citizen group involved in our budgeting process.
I wasn't too troubled by the council's change in direction because it was really a no-lose situation--if they agreed with me then I could take the credit for creating the commission; conversely, if they disagreed with me I had a nice talking point for the upcoming mayoral campaign.
The budget advisory commission was established in 2007, following my election as mayor in the fall of 2006. The BAC was filled with pretty high octane folks who spent a lot of time studying our budget and making recommendations to the city council.
City staff never liked the BAC. More about that later.
That the BAC made recommendations which the council adopted was a bonus as to me the real beauty of the BAC was that it made our budgeting process far more open to our residents and taxpayers.
Not everyone wanted that kind of openness, though. Some would rather that certain issues not be publicly discussed. Some complained that the BAC's recommendations were infringing on the council's obligation to make policy for the city.
It's this last point--that the BAC was infringing on policy--that prompted this post as I read in the local paper last week that the new council intends to re-focus the BAC because of this supposed concern.
The city has many commissions--planning, park and rec, conservation, human rights, and a few others. Each of these commissions, if they are to do anything useful, "infringes" on city policy as part of their work. They always have and they always will. The important point, though, is that each of these commissions can only make recommendations to the council--this is the important distinction to keep in mind. It is for the council to consider and then accept or reject any "policy" recommendation. And, the council has accepted or rejected recommendations from all of its commissions.
The politicians on the city council are too smart to disband the BAC--that would be too easy an action to criticize. So, when you hear people say that the BAC needs to be re-directed to keep it away from "policy" issues that's just political speak for killing the BAC. I think that's a shame.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
A period of adjustment
I've neglected to blog for about a month. It's not that I haven't had anything to say--no, it's just that I'm struggling to find the right balance on my subject matter.
I want this blog to be a combination of personal matters and politics. Last year-when i was an elected official-i tried pretty hard to avoid discussing specific decisions made by the city council.
Now that i've left elected office I'm finding that balance even harder. Although I often threatened that I'd become a critic after my term of office had ended that's not exactly what I have in mind.
I don't want to become one of those former elected who project sour grapes whenever they talk. I had a great run and I wish the current city council all the best.
That doesn't mean I'll give them a pass--no, I have some pretty strong opinions on the difficult subjects which will face this council and I will share those opinions. It just means my posts will be less frequent until I find the right balance of respectful comments on issues of legitimate interest.
I want this blog to be a combination of personal matters and politics. Last year-when i was an elected official-i tried pretty hard to avoid discussing specific decisions made by the city council.
Now that i've left elected office I'm finding that balance even harder. Although I often threatened that I'd become a critic after my term of office had ended that's not exactly what I have in mind.
I don't want to become one of those former elected who project sour grapes whenever they talk. I had a great run and I wish the current city council all the best.
That doesn't mean I'll give them a pass--no, I have some pretty strong opinions on the difficult subjects which will face this council and I will share those opinions. It just means my posts will be less frequent until I find the right balance of respectful comments on issues of legitimate interest.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
the problem with sound bites
One sound bite that played a part in the recent council election, and still seems to be on the minds of some, is the notion that the current council is "deficit spending" because it is using funds from the budget stabilization fund to avoid raising taxes. A few observations.
First, it seems obvious (at least to me) that if we're not going to use the budget stabilization fund during the greatest recession in a generation then perhaps we shouldn't have it at all. Government should not hold onto cash simply for the sake of holding onto cash.
Second, the council has (or at least I have) been pretty clear that the use of the budget stabilization fund is not a long term strategy. The challenge for staff remains to present the council with budgets which reconcile revenues with expenditures. I have made that point every year during our budget discussions. Staff has preferred to avoid cuts to salarires or service levels and has thus recommended use of the stabilization fund. This has worked over the short term but will not work over the long term.
Third, I find somewhat ironic that two of those who seem most enamored with the "deficit spending" criticism are the very council members who initiated the practice back in December of 2005. That's politics for you.
I fear that our economic recovery will be slow and that it will take quite some time for residential property values to noticably rise. Accordingly, I think residents will remain sharply opposed to increases in the property tax and challenges for all cities will continue.
First, it seems obvious (at least to me) that if we're not going to use the budget stabilization fund during the greatest recession in a generation then perhaps we shouldn't have it at all. Government should not hold onto cash simply for the sake of holding onto cash.
Second, the council has (or at least I have) been pretty clear that the use of the budget stabilization fund is not a long term strategy. The challenge for staff remains to present the council with budgets which reconcile revenues with expenditures. I have made that point every year during our budget discussions. Staff has preferred to avoid cuts to salarires or service levels and has thus recommended use of the stabilization fund. This has worked over the short term but will not work over the long term.
Third, I find somewhat ironic that two of those who seem most enamored with the "deficit spending" criticism are the very council members who initiated the practice back in December of 2005. That's politics for you.
I fear that our economic recovery will be slow and that it will take quite some time for residential property values to noticably rise. Accordingly, I think residents will remain sharply opposed to increases in the property tax and challenges for all cities will continue.
Monday, December 13, 2010
coffee with Max
Last week I had coffee at the local Caribou with Max. Well, actually I had coffee and Max had hot chocolate.
Max is a third grader at Prairie View. His mom emailed me and told me that Max had a school assignment to report on "a day in the life of the mayor." She asked if I'd be willing to meet Max and I gladly agreed.
When I met Max he was dressed in his Sunday suit. He missed his basketball practice for our meeting. He had a list of questions and was as eager as he could be.
His questions were good. I hope the same for my answers. When we were finished he stood up, extended his hand and gave a firm shake, and asked for a picture.
Thank you, Max, for taking time out of your day to spend time with me. I really enjoyed it.
Max is a third grader at Prairie View. His mom emailed me and told me that Max had a school assignment to report on "a day in the life of the mayor." She asked if I'd be willing to meet Max and I gladly agreed.
When I met Max he was dressed in his Sunday suit. He missed his basketball practice for our meeting. He had a list of questions and was as eager as he could be.
His questions were good. I hope the same for my answers. When we were finished he stood up, extended his hand and gave a firm shake, and asked for a picture.
Thank you, Max, for taking time out of your day to spend time with me. I really enjoyed it.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Young boys ring some bells
Cub Scout Pack 479 rang bells at Rainbow Foods in EP today. Well, at least some brave scouts did. Terrible weather made it hard for kids to get out.
Sons Ian and Riley did a great job.
Two funny stories from today.
Story One--I actually wasn't going to go. But my good friend Ted (whose son is in Ian's den and was going to ring with us) shamed me into going....then Ted didn't show.
Story Two--Riley was holding the sheet of songs we were supposed to sing. A little irritated that he was just humming, I say to Riley "sing some songs; it's what people want to hear." Son Riley responds "Dad, I can't read."
Sons Ian and Riley did a great job.
Two funny stories from today.
Story One--I actually wasn't going to go. But my good friend Ted (whose son is in Ian's den and was going to ring with us) shamed me into going....then Ted didn't show.
Story Two--Riley was holding the sheet of songs we were supposed to sing. A little irritated that he was just humming, I say to Riley "sing some songs; it's what people want to hear." Son Riley responds "Dad, I can't read."
WAMarchy rules
Last Saturday night Mona and I went with friends Rick and Gina King to the WAMarchy event at the Weisman down at the U. Gina is on the Board of Directors for the museum and the event celebrated the closing of the museum (for a year) as it undergoes major interior renovations.
I wasn't sure what to expect of the event or the crowd but was pleasantly surprised on both counts. I enjoy people watching and this was a good event for that. Plus, they had a nice bar set up so that was nice, too. A few chairs to sit on would have been a good idea, though.
Two bands were set to play. We listened to the first--i forget their name--but it was an all female band that did a modern/50s mix. As the second band set up they started handing out ear plugs; we took that as a good time to go.
I wasn't sure what to expect of the event or the crowd but was pleasantly surprised on both counts. I enjoy people watching and this was a good event for that. Plus, they had a nice bar set up so that was nice, too. A few chairs to sit on would have been a good idea, though.
Two bands were set to play. We listened to the first--i forget their name--but it was an all female band that did a modern/50s mix. As the second band set up they started handing out ear plugs; we took that as a good time to go.
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