Day 3

Former Mayor Mike Case, ipad in hand, was waiting for me today. He had been reading my blog.

Mayor Case wanted to talk about the long list of questions I posted on Monday. Mike wondered if I was "managing" or "mayoring." He warned me against the former. I have never made a secret of my admiration for Mike. So I take his advice seriously.

Luckily, I had prepared a couple of documents for the Thursday evening work session to underscore the difference between "managing" and "mayoring" or "Assembly-membering." Mayor Case liked these much better than my Monday list. I hope you will too.

Here is the "Bill of Rights for Assembly Members" and its companion "Bill of Rights for Managers" adapted from the Alaska Municipal League's Newly Elected Officials Handbook, pgs. 13-14:

All Assembly members have the right to:

• equal treatment and information
• fair and respectful treatment in all situations
• equal access to the manager for questions or assistance
• teamwork between manager and elected officials
• a minimum of surprises - the assembly must be made aware of all potentially embarrassing situations or problems
• complete, timely, accurate, non-partisan, and non-biased information
• short, concise reports which are easily understandable
• several options offered to solve a problem, if possible

The manager has the right to:

• fair and respectful treatment in all situations
• expect that all direction or offers come from a formal action of the whole assembly
• being criticized only in private and in a constructive manner
• being thanked when appropriate
• expect that materials and reports will be read by assembly members before meetings
• have adequate tools and resources to perform efficiently and effectively
• have duties and responsibilities put in writing so they are clear and understandable
• be give the authority and resources to complete assigned tasks