11/9 Council Meeting - I made a public comment

Tonight was a would-be contested, hot, emotional meeting. However, it came and went with a whimper. No controversial action was taken. There was talk of Layoffs, but Mr. Mctigue recommended against action today. A special session will happen soon, accompanied by 3 readings of Council. This should shine some light on the deliberate actions and give them more credibility.

My comments: I followed a lady from Montgomery suggesting we support having chickens in the Village. I'm gonna LOVE this job! :)

I spoke about the pending layoffs (which didn't happen). I asked that Council consider waiting until the New Year to implement for 3 reasons:
-Budget Deficit clearer and better! Actions still needed?
-New Council would love to weigh in and be part of the solution.
-Waiting until after the Holidays would be nice.

Rationale - I really struggled with whether or not to speak. I do understand both sides (high level), and frankly a smaller Deficit would selfishly help me as a Councilman. But the need to speak in support of waiting won out. Complicating this is I don't belive any Department is without waste or without need to cut. After my due diligence, I may come up with the same proposed action.

No idea if Council will entertain the idea, but I wanted to at least say something. Did I burn "political capital" (do I have any)? Did I do the right thing? Not sure, but I feel good having done so.

Cortney

Sitting Council conversations part 2

I reached out to all the Councilmen and women and asked 2 questions:
-what do you wish you knew when you were new
-what can you share about the budget deficit and actions to correct

Perspective is an interesting thing. I heard some great "hadn't thought of that" comments. Timeline and corresponding logic was interesting. Many laid out the process:
-budget trouble, how to fix
-fire department merger idea, supported by majority
-fire department merger rejected
-still need to act
-put levy to correct budget trouble
-contingencies pre-decided
-levy fails
-execute contingencies
-execute quickly because we've waited too long

It all makes good sense. So interesting vs several other points of view I've heard from Citizens.

All believed 2 Full Time should be transitioned to Part Time Firefighters (maintaining 4 on duty at all time). Leaving 1 fewer Police as permanent. And 1 Maintenance Worker should be laid off.

All believed this is a start and more cutting would be needed, left to New Council.

Thanks to all who volunteered their time and views. Looking fwd to connecting w the other folks I haven't yet chatted with.

Cortney

Confidentiality and the Blog

A note about sharing details of conversations: this is tricky as it's MY blog, not Billy Bob's. So is it fair to lay out Billy Bob's affairs? Out of respect, I'll try to "anonymize" comments/conversations/actions. However, if unavoidable, I'll share more but a minimum amount of personal info.

I think more transparency is needed, and I'd rather over share. However, I welcome comments to this. Am I off base?

Cortney

Conversations with Sitting Council part 1

I've reached out to all sitting Council and so far I've talked with 3. Thanks to each for the candor and time. I've asked the same 2 questions. First question: What do you know now that you wish you would have known as a new Councilman. Why I asked: I'm a big fan of share and reapply vs invent. And not "inventing" the stubbed toes would be great.

Here's some of what I heard: reach out to Committee chairs before hot topics are discussed. Often not time to really research a topic before a decision is made. Understand the Finances (Budgets, Levys) inside and out. Make a real effort to know all the demographic differences in the Village (income, age, housing type). Many different faces to the Village. Really take the time to hear from and listen to a broad xsection of the Community. Understand in depth the history of the Village, especially plans never completed. Understand the true boundaries of the Village (this I can attest is tricky).

Question 2 to come shortly.

Cortney

Changing Purpose of Blog

I'm making a change to the Blog today. Here's what it's been labelled as til now:
"Random thoughts, observations, and beliefs about my run for Mariemont (Ohio) Village Council. I owe it to the Citizens to model the transparent behavior I expect from my government."

All still true, but I'm now on the other side of things. Here's what this blog will be about going forward:
"I commit to publish here my thoughts, observations, beliefs and actions on Mariemont Village Council (Ohio). I owe it to the Citizens to model the transparency I expect from my government."

Please hold me accountable. I now (Jan 1) work for you.

Cortney

Election

Family, Friends, Supporters, Angry Mob outside my window:

Wanted to share some great news and offer up a big 'thank you.'

As you may have heard, I did well last night, coming in 3rd of 7, securing a spot on mariemont village council in 2010. I am proud and humbled by this win. I am excited (and a little bit overwhelmed) by the work that lies ahead. We can do much to maintain and more importantly improve mariemont.

Thanks to each of you for the support, the help in honing ideas, the feedback (both kinds :) ), and the confidence along the way. Its been a great ride thanks to you.

Next up is to learn and chat and learn some more before the jan 1 swearing in.

Thanks again for your support. Oh and by the way, from here on, I will only answer to "Gov-neh", in a cockney english accent. Ha ha.

Cortney

Voted this morning-end of campaign

Weird. I've never had the experience of trekking to the poll on election day and seeing my name on the ballot!

It's done - "the defense rests". I am very happy w my campaign. And I feel ready to accept either answer. Winning is obviously preferred, but losing means I'm not the right fit for the citizens. And that's ok too.

My strategy for today is: go to work and catch up. I took a number of campaign vacation days in oct! Then dinner out - amys and my weekly date night is tonight. Poll/precinct results are posted @830pm, so maybe I'll run between the two and tally them up.

I had thought about pestering voters at the polls today but decided against it last night.

This ends phase 1 of my blog. Its been a humbling, educational, busy, and exciting process. Thanks for hanging with me and for your support.


Cortney