Are YOU Qualified for City Council? Take the Test Here... Issue #14

Click-Through Test Below See how you stack up against expectations the current Council has for their soon-to-be-appointed colleague. The process sounded good when The Ant first read about it. Council is to fill the open seat with a "transparent process" of evaluating applications, narrowing the field, asking for written responses to a list of questions, and then a personal interview in public. In practice, the process/scoring system to select the finalists, as well as the number of finalists to be considered, were apparently determined in closed session, and not explained to the applicants nor the public. The five finalists have been asked to answer 22 questions in writing. Make your own judgments when you see the questions. We had expected questions about education, training, career experience, decision-making experience, potential conflicts of interests, prior public service, management experience and other positions of leadership. Instead, The Red Ant was astonished to read the actual questions put forth, including Jack Johnson's question "How would you behave on City Council if you had evidence someone appearing before Council was lying?" Additionally, the incumbents up for re-election in May (Mayor Ireland and Councilman Jack Johnson) attempt to elicit a promise on whether or not the applicant will run for office next May. And please note the partisan and sarcastic reference to Sarah Palin. Take the ApplicANT's test yourself, anonymously. We have renumbered the list of Council questions, putting the more "interesting" ones first. The questions as posed by Council were almost all open ended questions, therefore, in order to more easily compile results, WE CRAFTED POTENTIAL MULTIPLE CHOICE RESPONSES. But the questions are as posed by Council. Here's the rather fun and anonymous test we created using the Council's official questions: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2dhnigwflvuxh1m/start If you don't want to take the test, and just want to see the questions, go to www.TheRedAnt.com and note the link for the questions at the top right hand side of page. While you are there, feel free to weigh in on the process or the candidates under consideration. http://theredant.squarespace.com/red-ant-blog/2008/10/3/councils-favorite-applicants.html#comments

Update on October 5 by Marilyn

Because the local papers have a farther reach than The Red Ant, this sent to both local papers:

Dear Editor:

Often the questions we ask reveal a lot about us. Such is the case with the twenty-two question take-home test our City Council requires of each of the five finalists for the open seat on Council.

Apparently the Council considers political leanings and positions on local issues to be more important than decision making skills, leadership experience, past public service and teamwork skills. See the 22 rather surprising Council-crafted questions at www.TheRedAnt.com and make your own judgment. Consider how you would respond if asked these questions.

Neither the applications nor the questions require any information on education, personal history, background, career experience, but especially potential conflicts of interests. Apply for an account at The Miner’s Building and you’ll have to give more information than for a City Council seat! Could it be that Council members feel that they know the finalists and their personal affairs so well that such inquiry is unnecessary? Hmmm.

Apparently the Council believes that they are being “lied to” by citizens, and go so far as to ask how a candidate would react. (Perhaps they’re looking for a new member to help abuse citizens when they dare to challenge Council direction, which some Council members characterize as “misrepresentation.”)

One of the more appalling questions is asking candidates for a commitment as to whether or not they’ll run for Council in May, 2009, when Mick and Jack may be running as incumbents. The mere notion of trying to influence the race as part of this process appears to be self-serving governance and unadorned politics. Such a question should cause us all to question the appropriateness of these governance standards. And especially, why we tolerate such low standards.

Our City Council is elected - based on Charter requirements - to avoid political party partisan politics. Regardless of which presidential slate we support, Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike are offended by the partisan nature of the final question of the 22. Whether it is an attempt to elicit the candidate’s position on presidential politics or a juvenile attempt at humor, it has no place on a formal questionnaire for Council decision making.

We will gain interesting insights into how our Council views their roles, responsibilities, and priorities as we watch them appoint the next Council member. Let’s hope that they invite Grassroots TV to film the public interviews with the Council candidates, and reinforce their stated commitment to transparency.

Regardless of the outcome, the nineteen citizens who volunteered for this huge effort of public service deserve our appreciation and acknowledgment.

Marilyn Marks

Aspen,. CO

Comments

[sister]

Thank you for posting the original questions from city hall. If you had not, I would not have believed the questions in the test. Because you ants are sassy and sarcastic, I thought the ants made up the questions. it is sad to know that our elected leaders created them, and had the poor judgment to ask them.

On the other hand, Ant questions would have been funnier.
Keep up the good work.

[Private Citizen]

Wondering if you read Aspen Times archived articles about Burlingame? Two in the Aug. 4, 2000 really sets the tone of the early debates of this issue. It was at this time that Steve Barwick stepped into the City Manager shoes. I was employed with the City then and watched as Barwick (along with Ed Sadler - what an idiot he is), started screwing the middle class...just like President Bush and Wall St... how lucky are we? We get to bail out everyone.

[Rick Crandall]

I learned some things from the Hospital’s election and appointment process that probably has bearing on the City Council process. The Hospital takes the position that there is nothing in the electoral or appointment process that does any background check or due diligence on Board member conflict of interest. They assert that only after someone is elected is there a responsibility to fill out an annual form declaring potential conflicts.

Judging from these questions, it looks like the same problem exists with City Council. Issues such as being a vendor to the City, being compensated in some form by an existing City Council member or other linkages that make two Board members linked in their voting, should be grounds to disqualify the candidate. Boards and councils are supposed to be comprised of independent members making decisions independent from each other.

This ass-backwards process makes a mockery of the election and appointment process – first you appoint someone and later find out whether they’re conflicted – makes no sense.

[Just Asking]

Do we really need to fill this positon?

Might keep meetings shorter.

[disgusted with Council]

These men have once again shown their immaturity and bias. They are interested in two qualifications---who will vote the way Mick wants them to, and who will not be a threat during the next election.

We need to find candidates who will run against these losers next spring.

[Topgun]

The questions Council has given the five candidates to answer are appallingly bias and indicate without question how one-sided and unbalanced Council is in its determination to select an interim member as prejudice and pre-judgmental as they are.

I was astonished to read a quotation in the newspaper when Jack Johnson said one of the criteria upon which he will base his selection of an interim councilmember is " their politics". Is Mr. Johnson not aware this is against the law---he is not allowed by law to do this?

Many citizens were astonished Council chose such incompetent candidates without finance experience. Does Council want to perpetuate the current financial fiascos?

As for Jim Pomeroy, who says he wants to serve on council because he wants to "serve his town". Sorry, that ain't enuf! Aspen needs real financial expertise, not someone pretending. Pomeroy says, "I truly believe that there is a strong and resolute group in this valley that wish to do away with employee housing, and I fear that if it is not bolstered and strengthened soon, it may very well go away." Pomeroy doesn't even make sense. He talks about a group against employee housing that needs to be bolstered before it goes away? Back to school, Jim.

There remains only one candidate of the five finalists with the financial and economic knowledge and expertise to do an effective job on council. It remains to be seen if Council has the wisdom to make the right decision.
Discouraged,
Topgun

[a part time resident]

Appalling that Aspen would elect such a Council.
Aspen deserves better than this.
Where is the intelligence and sophistication Aspen claims to have?

[Andrew Kole]

Vetting the City Council candidates

Editor:

Once again the “curse of Lincoln” (it took Abe nine tries to win an election) has sent me packing. While some of the candidates make sense, a few baffle me. With that said, I want to first focus on the 22.5 questions candidates are being asked to answer. Questions that are supposed to guide our elected officials down the path to a good choice for the next six months. Questions about: affordable housing (we have no money), the Entrance to Aspen (not an issue prior to the May elections), a candidates’ intention to run for office in May (is that a qualification?), condemnation (government at its worst), and lying to council (I am shocked), make up the “sacred 22.”

I’d like to suggest a mere six questions that would generate the same result. They are:

1. Because Burlingame is family oriented, should Disney be brought in as a partner to finish the build out?

2. Do you think city government should micromanage pricing and competition to drive Prada out of town?

3. Would you consider condemning your neighbor’s property if they did not pick up after their dog?

4. Would you be willing to say, “liar, liar, pants on fire” out loud in the name of transparency?

5. How would you solve the Entrance to Aspen problem in the next six months? Limit your answer to 10,000 typed words, and include funding solutions.

6. What is your favorite color? Why?

Note: I would stipulate the candidate answers would be judged on what the current majority on City Council wants to hear, independent thought will be graded accordingly, and grammar counts for 15 percent of your grade.

Finally this: I understand why I was passed over by a majority of the current “deciders,” (they think I pick on them) but what about Cliff Weiss? Sure, Jim Pomeroy is a nice guy, and makes a good brownie, but where has he been? Weiss has put his name on the ballot, serves on numerous boards and committees, and is a longtime local. I hope he wasn’t passed over because we became “friends” during the Lift One COWOP meetings. Sorry, Cliff.

Andrew Kole
Aspen

[Lynn Burton (Aspen Daily News Column)]

Following from Aspen Daily News, Lynn Burton Column
Oct 8, 2008.
Posted by M. Marks

Wacky as Houpt’s endorsements are, they can’t compare to the 23 questions the Aspen City Council is asking applicants for the late J.E. DeVilbiss’ seat. The questions range from hypothetical to absurd, including this one: “Which part of intense media scrutiny, 400 page memos and 7 hour meetings interests you?”

Question No. 17 asks: “If chosen, will you promise to run (or not run) in May for a full term?” Uh … let’s see. How do you figure incumbents Jack Johnson and Mick Ireland might use this answer if they run again, and the soon-to-be appointed City Council member goes against the “promise” not to run? Is this question just giving them a campaign issue to keep up their sleeve? Are Johnson and Ireland less inclined to add or not add someone to the council whom they might have to run against next May? Is question No. 17 pretty much the craziest thing you’ve ever read?

Question No. 16 is a good one. “How would you behave on City Council if you had evidence someone appearing before council was lying to it?” (Note to applicants: If you want the job, do not answer, “I’d start yelling at them like Mayor Mick Ireland does sometimes and then berate them and act all snippy like council sometimes does.”)

Question No. 13 asks, “What conditions would have to be present for you to exercise the condemnation powers of the city council? The moratorium powers? The emergency powers?” (Note to applicants: If you want the job, do not answer, “Conditions? No conditions! We’re the Aspen City Council! We can do whatever we want! We don’t need any conditions! What, are you nuts?”)

The City Council questions, wacky as they are, do make for great fodder for you letters-to-the-editor writers out there. If you’d like to check them out, go to www.theredant.com.

One final note: Why didn’t the City Council put former City Councilman Torre on the short list? Torre knows how the city works. You’d think the City Council would want someone they don’t have to bring up to speed.