This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Over thirty years’ experience as a public official (both at the political
appointee and civil servant levels) or in the private sector interacting
with senior public officials taught me many critical lessons about public
life. One of the surprises was the importance of the official's
decision-making style.
Of course, a candidate's stands on known issues are important. They are a
guide to future behavior within the boundaries of those facts and
circumstances. More importantly, they may offer a guide to decision-making.
We cannot predict all the issues that will face us over the term of a city
council member or governor. That huge unknown presents risk to us as
citizens and voters.
I found analysis of decision-making style the best mitigation to that risk.
Answers to questions such as Are decisions based on evidence, as opposed to
ideology? Are decisions framed in feasible action steps, as opposed to feel
good but meaningless PR? Are all outcomes considered, or is the analysis
incomplete leading to the risk of unforeseen outcomes? All decisions
involve risk. Does the decision include risk mitigation strategies? And
others, but this is not the place for an essay on public sector
decision-making techniques.
Tim Waters is on the right side of the issues we in Longmont know that we
face today. But none of us can predict the issue that will dominate civic
life for the next few years. During that period, we want our City Council
members to approach solutions to those issues in ways that make us
confident about the outcomes.
Tim Waters' decision-making style impresses me. That’s why I’ll vote for
Tim.
Tom Briggs
Longmont CO 80504
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