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Summerfield Town Council II
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lovettrp
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Mana: 
 Posted: Aug 16th, 2007 07:10 pm
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GRITS wrote: Are you currently pleased with our form of government as it is? What do you think needs to be changed  to resolve problems instead of creating problems?   

Also, how long have you been a resident of Summerfield, and where are you originally from?  

I propose the above questions to any candidate.



I am pleased with some aspects of current form of government; however, a set chain-of-command is absent.  An organization can not function with six chiefs (town council and mayor) and four Indians (manager, planner, clerk and parks&rec manager).  Some system must be put in place if we are to keep the existing system. Six direct bosses assigning tasks to one or two subordinates (no offence Carrie, Valarie, George and Michael) in unheard of in business.  In a mayor-council form of government (I feel) the mayor should be the sole delegator of tasks to staff.  All requests should be directed through him (or through a duly designated Representative of him).  The mayor should act as the chairman of the council.  As chief executor of the town he can prioritize tasks/requests (if necessary) and assess the workload on staff and make recommendations to increase and decrease staff accordingly.  Also, since the mayor's head is on the chopping block every two years he is very accountable to the people.  If the Mayor (in this type of system) does his/her job properly, no council member should complain about the prioritization of their requests.  I am sure there are more issues or things that could be fixed... have to dig a bit deeper for those... but the major one is listed above!

I have lived in Summerfield going on four years.  I moved here from New Jersey (there is a three reasons that people leave... T...A...X).  I volunteered as a zoning board alternate within one month of moving in to the Town... I wanted to be part of the community.  I was appointed by council 2 years later after only missing one meeting as board alternate(had to see my wife give birth to the first of two sons... I missed my second meeting when my second was born also).  Since moving here I have volunteered to serve my on my HOA (Wilson Farm) board, Guilford County Environmental Review Board, Boy scout merit badge counselor, ice hockey referee ( if you think T.C. meetings making a mistake is are rough... try refereeing 4-6 year old kids and blow a call... boy!, You WILL hear about it from the kids parents).

College at Norwich University - Military College of Vermont 1992 B.S. Geology

Occupation; geologist at an environmental/ engineering company in GSBO

lovettrp
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Mana: 
 Posted: Aug 16th, 2007 07:16 pm
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Hairbrush wrote: I want to return a moment to what I am looking for in a town council member and a candidate.  I think Mr. Lovett has the right approach.  ...  I see Mr. Lovett really making an effort to understand the dynamics of the town he lives in and to really get to the know the people he lives with.  He may not have lived here during all the incidents that make up our history but he is willing to listen to it and to understand it.  I really think he has put a lot of thought into what he wants to accomplish on the council.  ....  I also like that Mr. Lovett comes out and tells us what he stands for not what he stands against.  Kudos to Mr. Lovett. 


 

 

Thank you very much... I am trying!   I have a lot to keep up with!

Hairbrush
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 Posted: Aug 16th, 2007 07:45 pm
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I think the problem with our mayor council form of government, if I read everything right, is that we have a weak mayor council form of government.  Essentially our mayor is just a figure head.  He votes in a tie, heads meetings, signs paper work, but cannot appoint positions.  He holds no more power than any other council member and in fact without being able to vote he holds less.  In a strong mayor council form a government, the mayor has definite roles and becomes more of what people think of as a mayor.  The council is the legislative branch and set policies, review mayoral and administrative actions; pass budgets and bond issues.  The mayor can appoint and remove department heads, he has veto power over the council but the council can override the veto with a extraordinary majority.  He prepares and administers a budget that the council approves.  This information came from the Handbook for Minnesota Cities and other such sites.  I think that is why in this case we need a Town Manager to organize our staff.  The mayor doesn't have the power to act on his own.  The council is suppose to rule collectively but I am not sure that is being done.  I am not sure that as a paid staff member if a council member walked into my office and asked me to do something I would be able to look them in the eye and say is this approved by the whole staff or just you. 

lovettrp
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 Posted: Aug 16th, 2007 07:49 pm
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I would agree with you synopsis except for the veto power... Maybe limit it or eliminate that and it sounds somewhat accurate to my position.  I would also modify the budget item... the mayor should work in unison with the council to develop a budget!

Last edited on Aug 16th, 2007 07:51 pm by lovettrp

Hairbrush
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 Posted: Aug 16th, 2007 07:59 pm
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We would have to research it and see our state legeslative says if we wanted to change the charter.  I am sure the council could set policy and procedures in place to make it work how the citizens wanted but then the citizens are at the mercy of each council that is elected on whether they wanted to continue with that policy or procedure. 

GRITS
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 Posted: Aug 16th, 2007 08:12 pm
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Thanks for answering my questions Lovettrp. Now I will say that I commend you for wanting to take an active role in the community and representing a positive attitude, not only for Summerfield but for your family as well. I am honored that you have only been here for 4 years -- I think Summerfield will benefit having you as a force to contend with.  

One thing about the council/manager government is that the form  encourages open communication between citizens and their government. Under this form, each member of the governing body has an equal voice in policy development and administrative oversight. This gives neighborhoods and diverse groups a greater opportunity to influence policy.

I feel you will only encourage more communication between all groups in Summerfield and create solutions.

Thanks, you certainly have my attention.

Last edited on Aug 16th, 2007 08:14 pm by GRITS

Steve Adkins
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 Posted: Aug 16th, 2007 10:14 pm
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dwendelken wrote: I too voiced my opinion on Tuesday and I got lableled.  I will continue to go forward with a positive campaign.  Unfortunately I will not be participating in this forum after reviewing the previous posts.

Don

I don't understand your "taking my marbles & going home" reaction over being "labelled" by some passionate constituents.  Frankly I'm disappointed. 

Do you think you would not have gotten "labelled" if you hadn't voiced an opinion? 

Just by virtue of being a candidate, you're going to eventually get labelled something, ie aligned with some group, right-wing, left-wing, liberal, conservative, etc.   It's part of politics.   Are you going to get angry at each label?

I voted for you in the last Summerfield TC election because I thought you had something to offer.  Took the time to shake your hand, talk to you, talked with your committed wife, still remember how excited she was.

Someone else in this form labelled you the "submarine candidate", ie you surface when there is an election.  The labels won't stop til election day.   Personally I'd like to get to know the "real" you, but now that's not going to be possible (in this venue).  As a voter, a candidate is going to have to reach out to me, because I'm not going to chase them down.  

It's OK, I'm only one lousy vote. 

DOGGETTJA
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 Posted: Aug 16th, 2007 11:44 pm
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We don't have a strong mayor and the change to council/manager will not give us one.  That is another whole subject.

Last edited on Aug 17th, 2007 12:11 am by DOGGETTJA

FatPappy
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 Posted: Aug 17th, 2007 12:13 pm
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GRITS wrote:
I feel you will only encourage more communication between all groups in Summerfield and create solutions.

Thanks, you certainly have my attention.


I agree, Grits. Mr Lovett you are soundin' good and I appreciate your participation in the town and on this forum.



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lovettrp
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 Posted: Aug 17th, 2007 12:24 pm
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DOGGETTJA wrote: We don't have a strong mayor and the change to council/manager will not give us one.  That is another whole subject.



I agree... The Council-manager form of government (based upon that I have learned) has some good and bad points also.  I am still learning about the Council-manager system so I do not want to comment until I decide on which form of government I prefer.  The question I was addressing was "what problems do I see with the current system and what would need to be done to address them."  I hope I did just that.

In regard to Don W. not posting on this forum anymore...I am disappointed since I still have to decide on who I am going to elect ( I hope that I cast one vote for myself... but that leaves two other votes for me to cast).  I honestly hope he reconsiders!  Differing points of view and opinions are healthy and necessary to our form of government.  If you do not believe that, then politics is not for you.  I believe it is the founding principal upon which our government thrives.


This is my first time running for any type of political office and I am learning the ropes (along with many others).  Politics are not for the "thin skinned" and in that regard I may have some trouble.  However, my father raised me to stick to my principles and be fair.  Yes, this philosophy can (and will) bite you from time to time...but that is ok!  It makes you stronger and allows you to learn from your mistakes. 

lovettrp
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 Posted: Aug 17th, 2007 12:27 pm
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FatPappy wrote: GRITS wrote:
I feel you will only encourage more communication between all groups in Summerfield and create solutions.

Thanks, you certainly have my attention.


I agree, Grits. Mr Lovett you are soundin' good and I appreciate your participation in the town and on this forum.

Thank you... I hope if given the opportnity to represent the Town of Summerfield I will not disappoint to much!  If I do ... please vote in a better candidate!

Hairbrush
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 Posted: Aug 17th, 2007 12:28 pm
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If you didn't have differing of opinions then there would be no need for discussion and change.  In my point of view then life would be pretty boring.  There certainly wouldn't be much learning going on because everyone would be thinking the same.  Guess we wouldn't really need a town council then either.

FatPappy
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 Posted: Aug 17th, 2007 12:46 pm
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lovettrp wrote:

This is my first time running for any type of political office and I am learning the ropes (along with many others).  Politics are not for the "thin skinned" and in that regard I may have some trouble.  However, my father raised me to stick to my principles and be fair.  Yes, this philosophy can (and will) bite you from time to time...but that is ok!  It makes you stronger and allows you to learn from your mistakes. 


Well, I'm proud to see you out there and in some ways I think people's skin can get too thick. I'd rather feel a little pain now and then than feel nothing. I know I'm human and I care when that happens.

I know you said you haven't decided on council-manager, so I'm not trying to pressure you in any way, but I think your situation is a good example of one of the advantages the council-manager system offers. An expert manager with training and experience in how the government works would offer a safety net of stability in the day to day operations while the council is in transition.

Just a thought.



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GRITS
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 Posted: Aug 17th, 2007 12:52 pm
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lovettrp wrote:


 The question I was addressing was "what problems do I see with the current system and what would need to be done to address them."  I hope I did just that.





Yes, you did answer the question and quite well I may add. I just did not want to post it again. The mayor has little power in summerfield and I personally would like to see that change. From my understanding, Becky Strickland and Dwayne Crawford were able to get the mayor's voting power removed when they were elected to office--I disagree with this.

As far as too many chiefs and not enough indians -- you hit the nail on the head! In order for the mayor to have more control of his board, he must be strong willed and have the ability to delegate responsibilities.

lovettrp
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 Posted: Aug 17th, 2007 01:10 pm
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FatPappy wrote:
"...I think your situation is a good example of one of the advantages the council-manager system offers. An expert manager with training and experience in how the government works would offer a safety net of stability in the day to day operations while the council is in transition."


Very valid point.  The Greensboro ice hockey referee association (of which I belong) had problems about three to four years ago even more sever than the "transition" problems you mention.  All board members were up for election every two years... talk about a transition problem! I made a recommendation, that was later later adopted by the general membership, to reduce some transition issues by staggering the terms of the board members.  Pres. and Vice Pres. on alternate election terms, Treasurer and Secretary on alternate election terms... etc.

We now have better continuity between boards following elections.  Our case in Summerfield is even more troublesome in that we are dealing with a government that has important decisions to make vs. a non-profit group of referees that just need to have games scheduled and paychecks sent .  


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