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Public Comments - Speeches

Monmouth Mayor's Report
January 5, 1999

Tonight, I want to share with you some thoughts about the coming year - And even though this report will probably take a little time to complete, I believe it is important to begin our journey together.

I want the citizens of Monmouth to recognize that we have a special system of government.

The Monmouth City Charter and Code, provide a well-thought out structure, with different duties for different officers.

These differences are by no accident - they are by design.

At it's heart, the Charter proscribes a Mayor and a Council; officers that act as the Citizens' Representatives - each with specific responsibilities but all with a shared charge:

We are here to ensure that government, our government, is a tool of the people, for the people's good.
This truth is not new but it is one that should be reaffirmed, from time to time.

We must also recognize that the non-elected, appointed officers, paid and unpaid, have specific responsibilities as well.

Monmouth is blessed with servants that are committed to the principles of good government; they care, about this city and its future.

And as we begin this journey together, I think that it is important that this Mayor, this Council, and this Community understand that each of us has a role to fulfill.

Let me say in public, what I have said in private many times - the Mayor and the Council make policy; the staff makes policy happen.

Simply put, we each have a specific job to do and we must work together - doing our part while remaining respectful of each other, and each other's part.

A good team has a variety of players performing a range of functions; over time I hope that we can become that kind of team.

For many of us, this was a tough election cycle. It isn't news to anyone that those kinds of wounds heal slowly; but we must remember that they can heal.

There was an abundance of emotion, energy, and personal investment on all sides.

In fact, until very recently, there was still tension and distrust about the conduct of the campaign.

We knew then, that everyone played hard.

We know now, that each candidate played fair.

But that is all behind us - it ends here.

For we are all on the same team, now - and we have an important job to do.

Sitting here tonight, I know - and you know - that there will be differences of opinion and passionate arguments that will occur.

Each member of the Council is an intelligent person with conviction - disagreement in a democracy is in truth, healthy.

My hope is that we can remain agreeable, even in the most difficult of situations.

For we are all here for Monmouth - first, last, always...

I want each member of the Council, the associated Boards & Commissions, the city government, and the Community as a whole, to know that I am proud - proud to work with you, and proud to be your new Mayor.

I have been given a rare gift that I intend to honor.

During the campaign, I promised that I would work hard, be accessible, and try to bring people together - in the hope of developing a shared community vision.

I didn't make a lot of promises - but I fully intend to keep the ones I made.

Accordingly, tomorrow is Monmouth's first "Talk-of-the-Town" (subsequently renamed Coffee & Community) a weekly opportunity for those interested in catching up on events to have cup of coffee and share some ideas with their Mayor.

During this next week, I will be meeting with other local leaders and discussing the mechanics of monthly "All-Calls" - opportunities where our community governments can share schedules and priorities.

Over time I hope to have office hours at City Hall as well - I want to reach out to the community instead of waiting for the community to reach out to me.

However, monthly meetings with local leaders and talking issues over coffee aren't going to be enough.

They are a start, but we can and must do more.

During the campaign I pledged to help develop a long-term vision for Monmouth - a plan constructed by the community for the community.

And in the past several weeks, I have had discussions with other local leaders - chamber members, service organizations, other governmental entities, faculty and students, and members of the public at large.

These discussions have focused upon the need for an informal, non-binding, cost-neutral, visioning process.

In other words, we need a grass-roots approach that allows people to share their ideas and dreams and yet provides flexibility enough for the respective governments to retain their respective authorities.

This visioning process will be an opportunity for those willing to give of their time, talent, and treasure to give something back to their community.

It will not be funded by the city, nor will its findings be binding upon any city entity.

In short, it will be a citizen's initiative - a process defined by those willing to help give it shape.

And while I encourage city councilors, staff, and everyone interested to take part, this will be a wholly voluntary experience.

My goal is simple: to visit every neighborhood by this time next year, and produce an outline of what Monmouth could be, by the year 2030.

Hopefully by the end of the year there will be findings that can be put into a report that we can present to the Planning Commission for their consideration.

I believe that only good can come from a meaningful attempt to reach out to the community and listen to what folks want; at least we will have made progress by getting to know our neighbors better.

In conclusion to this very long, first Mayor's Report - I want to just add a few comments for the Council as a whole - publicly.
I promised the citizens the opportunities I have just outlined during the campaign; I will do my best to deliver.

I promise you, an open mind, an eager ear, and a genuine willingness to work together; I will do my best to deliver that also.

You see - I ran for this office because I believe in the public trust.

I want to be the kind of Mayor that Rich Emken was, and the son Chloe Evans would be proud of.

And much like you, I am here to serve the citizens of Monmouth to the best of my ability.

Because I am a product of this community, and I owe this community - a lot.

Working together, I know we can do great things together.