Efficient, Accessible and Responsive Government

By Paul L. Tetreault

Too much regulation and "red tape" bogs down the process, making it too expensive for the city and the public. Government needs to be efficient, accessible and responsive.

Efficient

I pledge to work to shorten the length of Council meetings. If what you have to say is important, it needs to be said efficiently or the message will be lost. We simply cannot tolerate council meetings that last until midnight and sometimes later. Although our present Council has served our citizens well, their meetings last too long. That costs the City money for staff and makes it difficult for residents to participate in matters that come toward the end of the agenda.

If you have applied to remodel your home or develop property in the City, you know that the approval and permit process can be long and costly. I will work to shorten the time for building plan approval and permits so people can more quickly determine if their plans will be approved within the bounds of our development code.

Accessible

Those of us who serve the residents of the City, whether full-time staff, appointed officials or elected officials, need to be accessible. Not just to take a call or receive an e-mail, but to engage in discussions regarding issues that confront our City and its residents. As I have for six years on the Planning Commission, I will treat each person that appears at a City Council meeting with respect - - as if he or she was my boss. I am not afraid to change my mind based upon something said or presented at a Council meeting. Although I shall be prepared before every meeting to vote or act on each item on the agenda, I want to hear from the public. Win or lose, everyone deserves the respect of the Council and City staff.

Responsive

The City Council and staff must respond to public input. If there is a pothole, clogged storm drain, City-owned tree blocking a view, public nuisance created by a neighbor or other problem within the City's jurisdiction, we need to respond in a timely fashion with respect and good communication. This will be a priority of mine on City Council.