Neighborhood Services & Restoration

Solution:   Reform City Government

Eliminate problem agencies and offices

The best way, the only way, to end the destructive musical chairs process, once and for all, and at the same time finally, adequately address the needs of the people who live here, will be to reorganize City government.   Those sections of existing agencies and authorities which are part of the problem rather than the solution (e.g. those that promote real estate speculation or other problematic activities) will need to be removed.   In some cases the entire agency or authority itself may need to be eliminated and have its desirable functions, if any, shifted into other agencies.

Channel decision making in the correct direction

Decision making within City government must give highest priority to the provision of city services and the restoration of our existing neighborhoods.   The lines of communication must enable those in charge to hear the of City residents' needs, and there must be opportunities open to every citizen to actively participate in the determination of what will be done in their community.

We must anticipate that vested interests will push for a return to business as usual so they can continue making more money at the public's expense.   A new City government structure must ensure those who operate it can withstand the expected pressures.

The new structure must in itself lead everybody to answer Dave's guiding question:   "Who do we have here and what do we need to take care of us?"   If the structure and process are well formed, even the efforts of disinterested employees who could care less and are just putting in their time will be channeled in the correct direction.

A different scale of thinking

The entire focus of City government operations must be changed from the pursuit of a small number of large scale speculation projects to instead foster and facilitate a large number of smaller projects.   The latter can provide continual, incremental improvements throughout the city as the success of one adds benefit to the others while minimizing the risk of any one failed undertaking having a significant negative impact on the City.   Also, where large-scale projects rely upon large out of state contractors who take their money with them, small projects enable small local firms and start-ups to win contracts and keep the money here.   There is no better way to maximize benefits and minimize the risks.

What it takes

Implementing a successful solution will require a steady hand, a clear vision, and an understanding of how organizational structures function --- David Tessitor is ready, willing, and able to lead the City as mayor.

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