Democratic mayoral contender Art Ward recently issued the following statement as a "Leadership position paper" --
Never before has a Bristol Mayoral election been so much about leadership in both style and substance -- than that which is facing us in November.
Four years of military service, nearly forty years of community service, including, seven years of service as a member and chairperson of the Bristol Zoning Board of Appeals and almost fourteen years as an elected member of the Bristol City Council have afforded a multitude of opportunities to learn the various aspects of true leadership.
Over the past fourteen years, regardless of party affiliation, I have strived to be a responsible voice for the best interests of all of us - the people of the City of Bristol Connecticut. I have always believed that realistic, responsible decisions are made by listening to, digesting and addressing issues open mindedly. While responsible opposition is the obligation of elected officials if poor decisions will be the end result of items of consideration, so is it the obligation of those same individuals to support items of positive importance, regardless of party affiliation.
It is hard for me to comprehend how the public can be expected to believe that the supporters of bad decisions during this administration will now propose that they will be the panacea for correcting these same mistakes tomorrow. I have not sat back while less than beneficial decisions have been made nor will I refrain from responsible opposition in the future if the issues are not in the best interests of the community as a whole.
An effective city leader demonstrates a passion for the community which enables them to put the good of the people above everything else, working with others without the "all or nothing" or "my way or the highway" perspective on governmental management. An effective leader is never an island unto themselves.
The best leaders listen, they listen to those of differing opinions, they encourage the sharing of ideas and potential solutions, they are not afraid to hear different voices, differing view points. An effective leader may not always agree but they always respect others and look for good, alternative ideas which affords the flexibility to arrive at the best possible solutions.
A leader is not afraid to make decisions, to lead, to set a direction and a purpose - indecision breeds wasted time, listless effort and a lack of purpose.
One of the most important aspects of leadership is the ability to foster teamwork amongst everyone involved in the functioning of the process, to coordinate the talents, abilities and contributions of others in order that a mutual benefit is realized for everyone, not only for a chosen few.
It was once asked "should a leader be either loved or should a leader be feared? I say neither. Rather a democratically elected official should be respected but not feared or disliked by those around them and that respect is attained only by extolling those virtues which have already been expressed.
The willingness of this administration to micromanage, to single out department heads, employees and volunteers alike have had a profound, negative affect on the morale of those very people who are expected to provide positive results for our community.
A Mayor should be a leader of vast integrity and respect, not the tzar of managers. The office of mayor should be a vehicle of progress, not the haven to spew vindictiveness or to "even the score" with vendetta-like actions.,
As mayor, I will initiate the following positive agenda for improving city government for all;
1. I will continue to work in concert with the Board of Finance to establish fiscal responsibility that will protect the citizens of Bristol from "tax shock," Investment in our community will be geared toward establishing a viable downtown, a fully developed Southeast Industrial Park, the renewal of the Park Revitalization Program, quality schools, safe neighborhoods and programs which enhance the quality of life for all of Bristol's citizens.
2. In conjunction with our state legislative delegation I will immediately establish communications with the appropriate State of CT officials to initiate the process of securing any/all funding which will assist in the development of our downtown, incorporating our own professional development and planning staff into the process.
3. Address better means of communication between the Board of Education, the city, the parents, the school organizations and the general public through well-publicized neighborhood meetings in order to afford the public the opportunity to express their views on the spending of educational tax dollars.
4. I will convene a Charter Revision Commission to address the issues of the need for establishing guidelines for public referendums on major issues affecting this community.
5. I will request that this same Charter Revision Commission consider the potential for the implementation of the town Manager form of government if it is determined to be in the best interests of our community.
6.I will eliminate the existing morale decay which is so rampant throughout the system, expecting each and every one of our employees to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities but without the fears of retribution resulting from micromanagement.
7. I will establish panels of inter-departments working together to deliver the utmost of proficiency in city services. The Public Works, Planning, Engineering, Economic Development, Police and Fire departments may meet on a regular basis in order to better coordinate activities and/or Social Services, the Senior Center, Youth Services and Community Development might join forces to more effectively address mutual community goals.
8. All persons, volunteers, employees, staff and department heads, without exception, will be treated with the utmost of respect and courtesy in all facets of employment and (re)appointments, always being afforded timely notice and due consideration in the process.
9. Any and all information which is pertinent to the decision making procedures of our elected officials will be forwarded in a most timely fashion and not be held in abeyance for the purposes of political gain.
10. Quality education, a desirable downtown, a functioning Southeast Industrial Park, improved parks and neighborhoods and a reborn respect for that which is right will be the path that we will forge ahead on in order to move Bristol forward.
13 comments:
I noticed that Mr. Ward seems to be following the advice re. Town Manager form of Government.
As a thoroughly amused spectator of the Bristol " scene " I seem to remember a few years back when an individual businessman convinced the local officials to EVICT with EXTREME MALICE an elderly and feeble family which happened to have resided on their PRIVATE property for generations so that he would be able to expand his personal empire .
If I recall correctly this " gentleman " then abandoned this concept and transfered his enterprise to neighboring Southington , leaving Bristol with massive legal expenses ; a public relations nightmare ; a disasterous developement mess ; and a dwindling tax base . I also seem to remember this " gentleman " then bailing out of the business and entering the political realm .
Please keep me entertained and follow the " gentlemans' " advice . I look forward to seeing Bristol moved to Southington and then sold .
BTW .... Isn't that the same " gentleman " to provide shirts encouraging the removal of a longtime and valued Business in the Heart of Bristol ? ( OSJL )
And you are talking about Yarde, so what does this post have to do with Ward's position paper?
This is a well-written and thoughtful piece which begs the question - who wrote it? Its not Artie's typical adjective heavy prose or style.
And, how much of these ten points did he push for over the last 12 years he was a councilmen? That's the rub.
Love or hate Jerry Couture, one thing I always liked was his annual checklist on his mailers as to what he wanted to get done and what he had gotten done. I can't remember what they were now, but I remember busting him when he ran for mayorthat he had one or two left that he didn't get done and sure as anything, he was really annoyed about that.
so leadership is getting kicked off the old Downtown Plan Development Committee for skipping too many meetings?
Did Art Ward forget to include his stint as Deputy Mayor? If so Why? Perhaps he had no leadership in the mall purchase. I find it intresting he basked in the Couture Title and now does not include it in his leadership position paper.
"Leadership" is not just being in the room when decisions are made. In 12 years, the only "leadership" he showed was getting automated trash pickup. Not much of a record.
Hard to make a meeting when they are scheduled in the morning when most people are working! Second, issue, Zoppo was the biggest supporter of the Couture plan for the Mall - she even took the mall pictures on a road show. Sounds to me as if all the Zoppo supports are trying to discredit 12 years of experience. Well, what else should we have expected from that side anyway?
claiming that your absences from important city meetings are the result of your regular job is no excuse. If your job prevents you from attending key meetings on key city issues, especially something as big as downtown redevelopment, you should not run for office.
How about the publics input? You are forgetting about the majority of us that would like to attend, who are not elected, but cannot because of our work schedules. Maybe meetings of city issues should be slated for an after 5:30 time slot. When a city employee has a meeting of a committtee at 10:00am he gets paid to attend by the city. An elected or appointed person on that committee has to take time off of work. Because someone works for a living should not be the reason they shouldn't run for city govt. Get your head out of the sand, or better yet out of your hind-end so you can see clearly.
Rita Theribault
What meetings during the day? They were held at 6:30pm in the evening in Council chambers. The rub was he also scheduled his 2005 fundraiser on the night of the February downtown meeting and then joked about the all the free publicity he got when Steve Collins wrote an article about it.
What was the previous poster saying about showing leadership?
meetings in question were the meetings held with department heads and consultants at 9:00 in the morning not the nightime meetings - check your sources. Additionally, maybe the fundraiser was scheduled before the downtown committee meeting and couldn't be changed?
if Ward couldn't leave his job to attend the morning downtown committee meetings, he should not have sought to be appointed to the committee in the first place or he should have gotten himself taken off the committee once they set the schedule. but I think Ward wanted to be "on" the committee so he could say he was contributing to downtown revitalization and so he can make these "leadership papers" look better.
He should do himself a favor and ask that this leadership post be removed. I watched the Council meeting on Wed. night and his body language, refusal to look up and silence on the issue of our deterorating downtown said it all.
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