The Town Crier is running a series of questions for each of the five candidates for Los Altos City Council to answer. This week’s question:
All one has to do is watch a couple of council meetings and it is obvious there is an unhealthy level of tension among council members. What can/would you do to effectively work with other council members and reduce that level of tension and increase council productivity?
Nancy Bremeau: Tension occurs because the process and culture in which our council interacts with staff, commissions and our residents needs to be redefined and streamlined. Commissions need to be empowered to resolve residents’ concerns, issues and ideas before they go on to council. We need to improve the staff-commission-council-resident culture.
Anita Enander: Focusing on the best interests of the residents, rather than individual council members’ interests or positions, would help improve deliberations and comity. Agreeing to use principled negotiating, based on residents’ interests and relevant facts, would decrease tension. I promise to apply these principles in my own conduct as a council member.
Neysa Fligor: My demonstrated leadership style is collaborative, reasoned and thoughtful. This allows me to effectively work well with others and build consensus to move issues forward. Members need to listen to and respect each other, even when they disagree. I will lead by example, insist on civility and encourage team building.
Jean Mordo: The Brown Act makes achieving consensus difficult because it must be done in public. You surprise your colleagues with an opinion that they do not expect and it becomes difficult to change position on the dais. I have most often tried to vote for a motion, even if only 75 percent of my preferences are reflected. Some colleagues vote “no” unless all their demands are met.
Teresa Morris: Tension is not always a negative. However, when it reduces productivity it is. I would look for the truth of each situation. Once the truth is identified, the situation can be more fully understood. Fully understanding can help with being more thoughtful and compassionate toward others. That creates progress.
