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A S I S E E I T The Sounds of Silence By Jim Miller iizing a city official in today's such as for a rezoning, consumed I the goal is to inform the entire conmiu- complex, often contradictory j important and relevant information nits. A story about a proposed ball field world is irrefutably not an easy from the city. I choose the word i expansion on the front page of the city's task and it is getting harder. Those "consume" deliberately; most often the newsletter might elicit some response with the perspective of many years I failure to successfully communicate was (likely negative), but is it really repre- or decades of service will quickly not in the delivery of the information sentative of the community's feelings? confirm that meeting their own but that it simply wasn't noticed, or at And how should the mayor and council expectations as well as those of least not in time. interpret silence? Most have learned the the people they serve is indeed much I sat through many public hearings hard way that silence may not mean more difficult than in previous years. when one or more residents announced concurrence. When talking to city officials, I most to the council that they were unaware While these situations might result often am provided with vivid anecdotes of the subject proposal until being from inadequate communications about a particular public hearing, inter- informed by a concerned neighbor. The vehicles or the lax attention of city action with a developer or neighborhood city, of course, meticulously followed officials, they are perhaps more often group, or media interview as supporting its very comprehensive policies, which an outcome of the complex times in evidence. Even those not direcdy far exceeded legal requirements, in which citizens live and the competing involved in government on a day-to-day order to inform citizens. Mailed notices priorities for their time they inevitably basis are probably left with much the to expanded areas, neighborhood face. More and more, it seems that most same conclusion as a result of media meetings, and articles in the local citizens interact with their governments reports that often focus on the more newspaper and in the city newsletter in only two instances: when they need contentious occurrences at city hall. were all commonly employed. Yet, something the city provides, or when If the job of local government official almost predictably, up would pop at they are opposed to something the city is today more difficult, it also is more least one person wondering why the or someone else has done or is consid- visible (which, in its own way, may j city was trying to pull a fast one. ering. During all other times, most be partly the cause of this increased I know from my discussions with remain passive and silent about city difficulty). The open meeting law, for other city officials that my experience activities despite the city's communica- example, has certainly provided the was not unique; all cities face this dons efforts. public and media with more access to dilemma, at least occasionally. Of course, Governing is about judgment. Sound important decisions and perhaps the impacts of such occurrences are judgment seldom comes from the improved accountability as a result. immediately disruptive. Mayors and application of a formula. It involves Likewise, the Data Practices Act has councilmembers, perhaps already faced sorting out conflicting or incomplete both afforded protection for truly private with a difficult political decision, now information, separating fact from information while ensuring public access must weigh both the veracity and values, and balancing long-term with to much of the information behind consequence of such statements. Did immediate priorities. An equally impor- government's formal decisions. Yet, everybody who needed to know really tant component, however, is interpret- some argue that these laws also impede know? To be safe, should the hearing ing and then weighing the meaning decision-making--as when very sensitive continue? and value of what is not known or said. issues must be publicly discussed or Moreover, such situations can further This is most certainly not easy and the guarded, rather than giving complete, call into question the integrity of the potential for misinterpretation may be employment references, for example. government. While I believe that most great. But the integrity of our represen- While much of the emphasis on citizens trust their governmental institu- tative government depends on public government's complexity is attributable dons, especially at the local level, that officials' recognition and acceptance of to its public nature, it is often what isn't trust is also very tenuous. Unfortunately, this dual responsibility. r said or known that is the most prob- it takes very little for stereotypical lematic. As a city manager, one of my images of back room deal-making to greatest frustrations concerned the city's crop into people's heads. all too frequent inability to ensure that As imperfect as efforts are to target Jim Miller is executive director of the those who might be affected by a information to selected individuals, the League of Minnesota Cities. Phone: (651) proposed city action or private request, task becomes even more difficult when 281-1205. E-mail:jmiller @lmnc.org. FEBRUARY 2 00{ MINNESOTA CITIES