Gospel or Gossip?
October 22nd, 2011
I have long shared my amazement about how fast gossip travels compared to gospel; how quickly rumors and distortions spread when the truth is right there. So, let’s look at a several truths from my campaign for Mayor of Jasper which I publicly stated at the recent Jasper Mayoral Forum:
+ I have made no decisions concerning any departments – civil city or utilities. I have stated that, if elected, I will conduct reviews of each department because I believe that’s what voters expect a new leader to do.
+ I have made no decisions concerning city budgets or pay. That would be presumptuous. I have stated we will make our city government more effective in order to better serve the taxpayer and ratepayer. In addition, the reality of state constitution property tax caps will continue to make all local governments even more fiscally responsible.
+ I have made no decisions concerning any personnel and it would be very premature for me to do so before the election. What I have done is host formal meetings with every department head in the city. Over coffee or lunch or at their city workplace, we’ve had great discussions. The best part is that I gleaned valuable insight learning of their successes and challenges. It’s an investment from which you may expect significant return.
+ I have made no decisions on how City Hall will operate, though I can state that there will be differences. Mayor Schmitt has been in office 20 years and he’s retiring. To expect things to remain exactly the same is not realistic regardless of who is elected to succeed him.
Enough of the gossip. Now the gospel: Having spent the better part of a year attending city functions and meeting staff, I am quite confident of three things: 1) We have a tremendous number of city employees who work daily to make Jasper a wonderful place to Live, Work and Thrive; 2) There is always room to become even better – and we will, and; 3) My strengths in leadership, performance, marketing and communications are perfectly aligned to the needs of Jasper.
I would be honored to serve as your next mayor.
Terry