Local government managers bring shared commitment and vision to communities
Local governments, according to a September 2013 Gallop poll, capture the most public trust and confidence among all levels of government.
Professional management, coupled with a commitment to ethical practices, is one factor explaining why Gallop respondents register such satisfaction.
Professional local government managers bring shared commitment and vision to our communities—working closely with elected officials and residents to build communities we’re proud to call home.
Like the CEO of a corporation, a professional local government manager brings the best practices in financial management, administration, and personnel practices to running the business of government.
As nonpartisan, nonpolitical public servants, professional local government managers work behind the scenes for the good of their communities partnering with elected officials, business and community leaders, and their staff of public servants.
Because these managers do their jobs so well, many Americans are unaware they exist, yet their presence is crucial to delivering services that are more efficient than governments without these trained professionals. (IBM Global Business Services study, 2011)
As members of the Wisconsin City/County Management Association (WCMA) and International City/County Management Association (ICMA), members pledge to follow the principles and guidelines of the ICMA Code of Ethics.
Adopted in 1924, the ICMA Code of Ethics defined the principles that today serve as the foundation for the local government management profession and set the standard for excellence. Leadership in a management structure committed to equity, transparency, integrity, stewardship of public resources, political neutrality, and respect for the rights and responsibility of elected officials and residents strengthens democratic local governance.
WCMA and ICMA members pledge to uphold these principles in their conduct and decisions in order to merit the trust of the public, elected officials, and staff they serve. As a condition of membership, WCMA and ICMA members agree to submit to a peer-to-peer review under established enforcement procedures should there be an allegation of unethical conduct.
One of the primary principles of the code of ethics declares that members shall refrain from all political activities that undermine public confidence in professional administrators and refrain from participation in the election of the members of the employing legislative body.
Guidelines for this tenet state that members shall not run for elected office or become involved in political activities related to running for elected office, or accept appointment to an elected office. They shall not seek political endorsements, financial contributions or engage in other campaign activities.
In an ever-changing political environment, the Wisconsin City/County Management Association strives to keep our members, as well as the public, aware of the high standards set for our organization. Professional managers offer the leadership, transparency, accountability, ethics and efficiency that make government work for the people. If you would like more information on the ICMA Code of Ethics, visit the Web site at www.wcma-wi.org.
Linda Kutchenriter
President, Wisconsin City/County Management Association
Lake District urged to monitor herbicide levels in lake
Once again, our lakes will be being treated with the controversial herbicide 2, 4-D.
While no one wants to see their lake choked with milfoil, we do need follow-up monitoring of herbicide levels in the lakes and sediments in order to ensure that the water is safe for people and animals.
The herbicide has been banned in Canada, and has been linked to a six-fold increase in the incidence of childhood leukemia and a four-fold increase in the incidence of soft-tissue carcinoma in children. Source: Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1987); American Journal of Public Health (1995).
One study found that dogs exposed to lawn herbicides were 4 to 7 times more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer. Another study found that dogs from homes where lawns were regularly treated with 2,4-D were twice as likely to be diagnosed with malignant lymphoma.
The information we receive is contradictory. We are now told that it is safe to swim 24 hours after 2, 4-D application; several years ago the ban was 48 hours.
And animal consumption is banned for two weeks. Children swallow water when they swim. How long should you keep your dog out of the water?
If the Lake District is committed to herbicide application, one compromise solution would be to move it to the fall months of either September or October when the lakes are not used for summer water activities. It is my understanding that follow-up treatment was applied to Lake Elizabeth last fall, so it seems like this is possible.
For the past 11 years, our family’s use of the lake has been severely limited by a prudent observation of keeping everyone (especially children!) out of the water for at least two weeks after application. We felt that this was necessary due to the above-mentioned contradictory information and lack of monitoring. Since the application usually occurs right before Memorial Day, or one year, July 4th, the short summer season is made even shorter.
Please urge the Lake District to consider the facts and provide monitoring of herbicide levels and/ or treat in the fall.
Lynne C. Hellman
Twin Lakes
Republican policies have revived our state economy
Gov. Walker and Republican reforms are improving Wisconsin. CEO Magazine’s 2014 rankings for “Best and Worst States for Business” shows Wisconsin jumping 27 places since Walker and Republican reforms have been implemented. Wisconsin is now ranked 14th in the nation and Wisconsin’s economic climate continues to improve.
Compare that to the failed policies of the Doyle-Burke Administration that crippled Wisconsin’s economic climate. While Burke was Commerce Secretary, CEO Magazines ranking for Wisconsin fell from 25th to 33rd. When you compare the Walker-Kleefisch Administration to the Doyle-Burke Administration, you can clearly see Republican reforms are moving us forward.
Through Walker’s leadership, Republican policies have improved our economy each year. This would be lost with Mary Burke’s policies of higher taxes and large deficits that caused Wisconsin’s economy to plummet under Doyle.
Unemployment peaked at 9.2 percent during the Doyle-Burke Administration. Under Walker, our unemployment rate is 5.9 percent, a 5-year low.
Under the Doyle-Burke Administration 133,000 jobs and 27,000 businesses were lost over the course of 4 years. The CEO Magazine rankings confirm the progress the Walker-Kleefisch Administration has made leading to over 100,000 new jobs and nearly 20,000 new business formations.
At the end of the Doyle-Burke Administration employer confidence was only 10 percent. Employer confidence now stands at 95 percent under Walker and Kleefisch. Republican policies have revived our economy.
We are recovering from the high tax and reckless spending policies of the Doyle-Burke Administration. Voting for Republicans will keep us moving in the right direction.
Amy Holterman
Milton