8/23/2007

Mayoral Forum-Fifth Question

5. How, if at all, would you govern differently from the present City Commission?

Ed McKnight:

As I stated before, I'd like to facilitate change while being careful not to upset the positive things that are happening in the community. It is not my intention to claim that everything the current commission does is bad or that the people are bad. I think it's more like - I can do better. Granted most business before the commission is routine, pragmatic, and even mundane business; and the current commissioners sincerely try to do the best they can. The difference comes down to how I would lead, particularly during the rare times when hard divisive issues arise.

· As Mayor I would assume leadership by taking control and responsibility for conduct of commission meetings. I would need no 3 or 5 minute rule.
· Listen more attentively to what is being said and not just wait for opponents to finish
· Research answers to questions and attempt to respond with factual knowledge.
· Add e-mailed and on line posts to the current minimum required paper ad and board posting.
· Make more government documents available to citizens on line and e-mailed.

In other words, don't just do the minimum required and accept the status quo.

Larry Steele:

I would be willing to listen to the people of Great Falls , not only at city commission meetings, but also anywhere I am in Great Falls . I also would give back the power the voters of Great Falls by making sure they can vote on major spending issues.

Susan Kahn:

We have open government and the public needs to be engaged in their city. The Mayor is a position to serve the public as a commission member and votes should be cast to represent public opinions and their best interest. The Mayor position does influence how the meetings are run and I want to increase fairness, common sense and public participation as our government was designed.

As I said in position 1, my style is to consult experts with varying viewpoints, share information, and plan short and long term obtainable goals. Goals must be measurable and city leadership must be held accountable.

10 comments:

WolfPack said...

Mr. McKnight-

"I would need no 3 or 5 minute rule."

Does that mean you would tell Whitsoe to shut up after 1 minute of meaningless ranting, 3, 5, 20 minutes or not at all? And if he refuses to sit down what will you specifically do to regain control of the meeting?

Anonymous said...

wolfpack,

The citizens will give respect to the commission if they are shown respect it in return. Just your attitude.."would you tell Whitsoe to shut up" shows lack of respect. Are you that much better than Whitsoe and why?

Nobody is going to rant and rave when dialog actually begins to happen. You might be amazed, but people are decent in this town.

A leader would be able to control the meeting without artificial limits on speech.

We need new leadership, not a brain dead egg timer.

Ed Mcknight said...

Wolfpack -

I will take the time to really engage Mike in sincere conversation.

When people seem to have meaningless or perpetual rants, there is a reason behind it. Frustrated citizens have the right to express opinions. Most people can be disarmed if they feel they are listened to whether or not someone agrees with them.

Having taken the time to speak with Mike a few times now, my impression is he is very well meaning, compassionate, helpful, and sincere. He is a great guy. When treated respectfully or valued as a human being he seems to use a balanced approach to problem solving.

If some disaster were to occur, Mike would be right there doing all he could to help.

Ed Mcknight
Quality Leadership in City Government

Anonymous said...

Ed, Good answer and I believe you are correct in your assesment of Mike Witsoe and others. I also believe you will have the oportunity in the near future (Jan 2008) to test your theories........

Anonymous said...

HOLY CRAP! Gee Guy, I hate to intrude, but go to 4&20 Blackbirds. The mayor of Missoula just dumped all OVER Lotten's Folly! Missoula now wants NO part of it! This is big, REALLY big! First Helena, now Missoula. Who's next? Looks as if Lotten and Primadonna will be selling power to each other!!.....and maybe to ms. ballsaringing and chief dorky! Gotta charge up them stun guns you know for people who NOW are "nasty and accusatory"! (how bout people who call the chief "dorky"??)

LK

WolfPack said...

Mr. McKnight-

As a prospective leader you must represent not only those with a love for the microphone but those silent/shy voices who are displaced by the microphone hogs. Mr. Whitsoe is not being marginalized if anything he has marginalized his fellow citizens by putting himself repeatedly at center stage. His antics didn’t start with this mayor.

Ed Mcknight said...

Wolfpack -

yes

I'll talk to him when he see's me next.

Anonymous said...

Maybe if we got away from the courtroom environment complete with an army of plainclothes bailiffs and softened the structure those silent/shy voices would be more at ease and better able to speak.

It should be the commission sitting under the spotlight not the other way around.

Anonymous said...

Damn good point! Take the intimidation right out of the proceedings! Maybe one of the council candidates could investigate just HOW much we're paying to have Dorky's gestapo there!

LK

Anonymous said...

The standard LK-name-calling-vendetta posts.