4.3 Information or Advocacy—Is There a Difference?
Discussion Questions
1. If you decide to write a letter to the editor, what should you say?
a. Vote “no” on amendment 10?
b. Describe the cuts in services that will follow?
As a manager, since it is my obligation to explain how the amendment 10 would impact the community, I can write a letter to the editor on describing the cuts in services that will follow the amendment 10.
As a manager, it is …show more content…
What would you do if your city council voted to oppose the amendment?
Voted to support the amendment?
Since the amendment is a local referendum and my city council voted to oppose the amendment, then I can be politically involved. As the city manager, I have to make sure that I am not advocating to the public to choose one side of the amendment whether my city council voted to oppose the amendment or support the amendment.
4. Do city managers have the duty to voice what they believe is in the best interests of the community even if the council disagrees? Agrees?
As the city manager, I can present the facts to the community about how the reduction in services can impact residents, but ultimately, anything that I want to share with the public, it has to have the approval of the city council. The city manager represent the city council’s official position and if the city manager does not agree with the city council’s position because perhaps it's not in the best interest of the community, then the city manager has the right to express his concerns with his city