City Council Vacancy: Selection Criteria
From:
Gary Grefenberg
Date:
May 13 02:00 UTC
Short link
I just watched the City Council's Special Meeting to interview the dozen or so
candidates for the empty seat caused by Tom Keogh's death. It was great that
it was televised in full on cable channel 16, and I was impressed by the
collaborative nature of the interviewing. And after almost two hours of
interviews it proved to my satisfaction that Roseville's most important
resource is not its retail but its residents: all the candidates were great and
should be thanked for opening themselves up to public review.
Since the selection of our next councilperson will be just that--not an
election but a selection by the council--I'd like to offer my opinion on what
the council's criteria should be, and invite other Forum members to add their
opinions.
Some previous experience in Roseville civic affairs and/or volunteering: I
don't think being a councilperson is an entry-level position or another step in
one's career advancement. I'd like to see someone appointed who's already
evidenced a willingness to serve Roseville and is already aware of many current
city issues. A ten-minute interview by four persons doesn't provide enough of a
basis for even a short-term appointment.
Ability to think critically and independently, and open to the opinions of
other residents: I don't want someone with all the answers who hasn't yet heard
the questions. I'd like more of a civic generalist rather than a specialist in
any one area, whether it be economic redevelopment or energy conservation.
Passionate and Practical: I'd like to see someone appointed who really believes
in local government as the foundation of our democracy and a primary means of
achieving community, that is, a home town where our opinions count and our
quality of life is critical. And who realizes that city government is not a
for-profit business but spends our money as if it was his/her own.
Not Running Again: Last and least, this is a valid criteria for making a
short-term appointment to a political office to be filled by the voters next
November. Although certainly not the most important criteria, I fear being an
incumbent could be an advantage in a general election in which there will be a
host of national, state, and local offices open, from President of the United
States to Ramsey County Soil and Water Conversation Board, All things being
equal--and I realize they never are--it may be more prudent for the council to
appoint a short-termer to this six-month council vacancy
This is my quick take on suggested criteria for the council's decision. What
do the rest of you think?
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