A working document – your input and feedback is valued.
"Government and politics go hand in hand. Competence is the ability to separate the two. Integrity in public office is the willingness to separate the two. Cooperation and communication are the hallmarks of productive, responsive government. It’s called solid, competent government. Government we can count on."
-- Don Ness
As Mayor, Don Ness is committed to:
Civil, Positive, Pro-Active Leadership
- Clear direction and vision must come from the mayor’s office – then trust and empower qualified staff and managers to carry out that vision
- Bring a serious-minded approach to public service – the issues before us are complex, they deserve solutions that honor that complexity
- Focus on the values of trust, integrity, communication, and respect
- Seeking out competent, experienced citizens to lend perspective and advice
User-friendly City Government – With a New Attitude
- Recruiting motivated, civic-minded people to work in city government, at all levels
- Investing in customer service, efficiency & modern tools – i.e. new zoning codes & modern equipment
- Instilling a positive, proactive attitude and atmosphere within city government
- Improving the tone & tenor of the public dialogue
Restoring Fiscal Order & Sustainability
- Finally, solving the retiree health care crisis—as painlessly as possible
- Prioritizing core services, like public safety & infrastructure
- Implementing key staff and policies for a helpful and responsive city hall
"Sound policy, not politics, will drive my administration’s decision making. The best public policy is found through reason, compromise, and working together rather than pure ideology, sloganeering, and the politics of division. The greatest tool in our democracy is the ability to ask difficult questions and then to search for the best answers."
-- Don Ness
