The election is over. You've been sworn into office.
Perhaps as never before, the challenges for local government are great, and the taxpayers are looking to you and your fellow elected officials for results; it's time to get to work!
Understanding the complex relationships that already exist and getting along in your particular role is important to the city. If you are unable to get along with your elected colleagues, at least to a reasonable degree, your meeting may become combative and nonproductive.
Is that what we elected you for?
Even agreeing to disagree in a polite or sensitive manner is possible, if everyone works at it. If you are able to do so, us taxpayers may have greater respect for you to set aside personal differences and work for the taxpayers good.
As council members, you're a member of the policy-making body of our city. While you may only have one vote, the council as a whole plays a crucial role in the city operations.You as council member adopts the budget, approves contracts and expenditures, develops personnel policies, passes public safety ordinances to help safeguard our community, and undertakes a multitude of other tasks essential to the city operation.
Your constituents elected you to provide that leadership, and we expect you to keep those of us who voted for you informed.
An important point to remember is that while the fire, police and parks programs may be the more prominent to the public eye, there's a lot more to local government.
Turn on a tap. You expect clean water. Or, flush a toilet or empty a sink. We drive on streets built and maintained by our city. As an elected official, you can't let these issues become invisible. It's a big job and, in tough economic times, a very difficult one.
Open government is on the minds of us taxpayers, and violations of the law or any law, can help destroy the public's perception. You must be impartial when it comes to fairness.
It's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work.
Remember:
I, ____ do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the constitution of the United States of America and will support the constitution of the State of Indiana, and that I will faithfully, impartially and dutifully discharge the duties of_____ in New Albany, Indiana, according to law and to the best of my ability.
Good luck and much success!
Will be watching every vote you make.
Freedom Of Speech Staff
