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EXHIBIT #1
City Council Workshop of 05/05/2008
Questions for Candidates for the Office of Dover City Council President
What do you consider your greatest contribution to the performance of city
government in Dover since you were first elected to the Dover City
Council?
As one member of a group of nine, I have listened, asked questions and learned. I
can say that I am honored and proud to have served with members of this council.
How would you describe your leadership style ?
This was addressed in my verbal statement.
Comment on the following critical traits of leadership and provide examples
of how you will ensure that these traits characterize your term as Council
President:
Inclusiveness
Sharing of Information
Facilitation of the expression of divergent views
Ability to resolve differences and achieve consensus w/o promoting a
favored position
Enhancing the ability of others to carry out their responsibilities
The Council President’s most obvious responsibility is the presiding role at
Council meetings. How would you describe the role of the Council
President as “the presiding officer”.
The Chair should keep the meeting organized, moving smoothly, and make sure
that all motions are clear and understood when voted on. Also, it is important to
assure that all council members have the opportunity to express their opinions. As
chair, when I would want to take part in the discussion, I would temporarily
transfer the chair to another council member. I also think taking a class in Robert’s
Rules of Orders would be very helpful and I will attempt to accomplish that as soon
as I could.
Describe how you would strengthen rather than dominate other Council
members in the governing process ?
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How will you help the Council work through differences expeditiously, and
encourage the Council to face issues and resolve them decisively without
promoting your own favored position ?
How do you expect to keep open the lines of communication with all
members of Council and between all members so that there is full access
to and higher levels of shared information in a more timely fashion ?
Agenda meetings will be announced and open to all members of council. Meetings
with the staff who report to council, will be as much as permitted by FOIA will be
open to all council members. Written summaries would also be useful and used
when appropriate.
How would you define the role of the Council President as “spokesperson”
for the Council ?
The Council President is only one of nine, and does not have an automatic proxy to
speak for the council. Care will be taken to not to limit the council’s actions by any
statement made by the chair. I also will report to council on outside meetings and
their relationship to the city.
How would you strengthen the Council’s linkages to the public ?
How would you improve the Council’s responsiveness to the articulated
needs of Dover’s citizens ?(For example, comments made by citizens
during the “open comment period” at Council meetings.)
Council members should receive a report on what actions were taken relating to
each comment.
How would you define the terms of the Council President’s involvement in
the administration and management of the city ?
The Council President serves as link from council to the administration. Keeping
the information flowing is extremely important.
How would you ensure that there is not even a “perception” that the Council
President is “directing city staff” ?
See comments about meetings above.
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How would you describe the pattern of interaction that should occur
between the Council President and:
The City Clerk
The City Manager
The Mayor
Other government officials/bodies
Non-governmental organizations
The media
The Public
How do you expect to promote the lines of communication with these
individuals/entities so that their interactions with the Council are
strengthened and so that the Council gets full access to and higher levels
of shared information in a timely fashion from them ?
What means will you promote to improve the Council’s capacity to collect
information and conduct analysis in order to better evaluate policy and
program choices ?
What means or methods will you promote to ensure that the Council has
enough time and resources to deal effectively with important policy issues ?
What means or methods will you promote to improve how Council
members can more effectively perform their oversight and performance
appraisal responsibilities ?
Prepared by Councilman Eugene B. Ruane
May 1, 2008
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EXHIBIT #2
City Council Workshop of 05/05/2008