With the filing deadline for our spring elections rapidly approaching (Tuesday, January 22nd) it's a certainty that we'll have at least one new Commissioner at City Hall and it's a possibility that there could be as many as six new faces.
So, with my vast experience (yes, you may snicker here if you like), I thought I would take a moment to share my perspective on what it means to be a Commissioner in Kansas City, Kansas and Wyandotte County. Unsolicited opinion - don't you just love it? :-)
Before we get to that, however, let's head back to civics class for a review of the fundamental roles of a local government.
Simplistically, I believe that the role of any local government is to establish a system of policies and procedures along with an infrastructure of people and equipment that is designed to:
- Maximize public safety (e.g., police, fire and ambulance service)
- Provide public works (e.g., sidewalks, streets, sewers and the like)
- Promote and protect the public good (including access to education and commerce)
With that as background, here are the three words that I believe give the most guidance to anyone who desires to hold office as a UG Commissioner.
Communicate. Advocate. Facilitate.
A Commissioner should routinely communicate with the people of his/her district and discover their goals, dreams and aspirations for a great life in our city. Homeowners, renters, landlords, developers, business people...anyone who lives, works or plays in the district.
A Commissioner should then bring the results of those discussions back to the whole Board of Commissioners and advocate for his/her constituents and all citizens in discussions where the Commission works together to discover where we have common goals and dreams across all areas of the city.
Finally, a Commissioner should facilitate brainstorming exercises and problem solving sessions among government workers and community partners (for profit and not for profit) with the goal of identifying strategies and plans to achieve common goals and improve the quality of life for everyone, everywhere in our city and county.
Stated another way, I believe the Commissioners, as a whole, should:
- Develop expectations (policies) that clearly spell out our common vision for the role of government and the operation of our city.
- Clearly communicate those policies and give clear guidance to our hired staff on what we want and why we want it.
- Develop strategies to put adequate funding in place so that our hired staff have the resources and materials they need to do the best job possible.
- Turn the expectations, policies, procedures and funding over to our hired staff and get out of the way while they work magic.
- Follow up with both our constituents and our hired staff to make sure things are working the way we want.
As a final thought (and this is really the most important part), I believe that those of us who seek elected office should aspire every day to be "servant leaders".
It's not about us. It's about the people we serve (both inside and outside of the government).
We need to approach everyone we serve with respect and a humble attitude and recognize that they are invaluable teammates in this game of life.
Being a servant leader doesn't mean that we can't be tough. It doesn't mean that we can't be passionate and driven for a cause. It doesn't mean that our constituents get everything they want. And it doesn't mean that our constituents get things without having to work really hard.
However, I believe that it's only when we help all our constituents prosper and flourish that we elected officials truly succeed.
So… That's how I see it. Whether you agree or disagree with my point of view, I invite you to send me an email or drop a note in my Suggestion Box and give me your perspective.
Have a great week!
~ Brian
bmckiernan@wycokck.org
- or -
Suggestion Box
