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A major role for public officials is that of consensus-builder.
Listening to the disparate and often competing interests in the community,
gathering the input and values of all community stakeholders is important
for successfully
developing public policy on any issue.
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One of the chief duties of public officials is to promote the image
of the community. This includes the conduct of the elected officials
and appointed staff.
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Teamwork between council and appointed staff is essential. A smooth
working relationship can facilitate the effective implementation
of policy.
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It is important that public officials build public trust by consistent
administration of the law, equal protection and due process for all.
It is important that citizens perceive no eroding or loss of rights,
that they have a right to petition the legislative body, and that
they have the right to understand the reasons why their petitions are
denied.
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The process developed within a municipality for dealing with issues
may be lengthy and detailed, but it has most likely been developed
as an effective way to ensure that the many, often competing, interests
of community citizens are met when making and implementing policy
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The city council is effective, and has authority, only as a group.
It is inappropriate for individuals to express their own opinions
as if they were the expressed opinion of the group. It is more
effective
if the individual members of the council can work together as a team.
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Taking a win/lose attitude towards public policy is probably not
as effective a stance as understanding that in any decision, pro
or
con, there
are important ramifications for community stakeholders. The future
implications
of nearly every decision are more complex than they might at first
appear to be.
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The public’s business must be conducted in public. This is
defined in the Open Meetings Act. The business of governing should
be conducted with honesty, transparency and openness in all respects.
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The public has a right to know all details of the process of governing
a municipality, as defined in the Freedom of Information and Open
Meetings Acts.
