I am posting about my experience in public office as an
example of how to be an effective officeholder, and especially how a
conservative elected official can successfully advance the cause of good
government even in a challenging environment, such as a liberal urban one. I shall not reveal all of my methods of
effectiveness, in case I am called upon to serve again, but I can note, for
example, that I was inspired by Ronald Reagan’s belief that one can achieve
much if one is not concerned with getting the credit.
I asked
many questions of the staff, contractors, vendors and solicitors, both in order
to inform myself in order to cast an informed vote, but also to establish
accountability by exercising my oversight responsibility. I also learned that it was necessary to
follow-up with administrators even after a resolution was passed or the
Superintendent issued an order to ascertain whether or not the staff was
following the instructions. The Reading School District
There was
one natural advantage of being a Republican in a Democratic-dominated city: I
received few requests for patronage from members of my party. Most of the handful of such requests came
from Democrats. I only promised the
courtesy of an interview if my name were used by the applicant as a reference,
in accordance with District policy. As a
result, I was not burdened by patronage concerns and my interest in the
taxpayers and students and not upon self-interest or partisan interest was thereby
made all the more apparent.
Indeed, my
mostly liberal Democratic colleagues recognized and respected my commitment to
the students (e.g. in terms of safety and education) and taxpayers, my
knowledge of parliamentary procedure and concern for process, and my
preparation. Despite strong ideological
differences, they entrusted me to draft all of the District’s new policies, for
example. My colleagues came to respect me,
at least to some degree, because I spoke my conscience in standing up for
taxpayers, students and staff. I courageously
expressed conservative views, even if I believed that my colleagues would
sharply disagree. Not surprisingly, sometimes
they did, even when an idea seemed non-ideological. However, I was often relieved that they
agreed with some of my common-sense ideas, which encouraged me to feel free to
express my principles, regardless of what they thought. Although we had very different ideas, there
was much common ground, beyond the many non-controversial issues. When my colleagues and I did argue publicly,
it was usually conducted in a respectful manner. I criticized the Superintendent publicly, but
I seldom personally criticized my colleagues in public and only when necessary
to defend myself. I avoided ad hominem
arguments, even when the liberals did not.
I did not carry grudges against my colleagues in order to work with them
on whatever the next issue was.
I found it effective, if necessary,
to force a debate on a matter and a vote, whether by a resolution or
amendment. I rejected the
anti-democratic argument advanced by one liberal colleague that a new board of
directors cannot overturn something approved by a prior board. I was not afraid to cast a vote knowing that
I would lose, even if I were the lone vote in opposition. I usually explained my vote briefly to the
public, although there were times when I found it prudent to be silent. Sometimes when I did explain my vote clearly
and with conviction, enough of my colleagues would gradually be persuaded to
agree with me that when the issue arose again, the outcome was changed in favor
of my position.
