Answer: I have strongly supported the development of a Northwest Quadrant Master Plan effort to discuss issues relating to public safety, public utilities, environmental concerns, public infrastructure and residential/commercial development. It is still too early to define a vision for the Northwest Quadrant or to identify funding sources for development. However, I believe that, given a successful Master Planning process that takes into account input from a broad spectrum of interested parties, there will be methods identified to fund development.

Question 5: Some people are saying City Hall is hard to work with because Mayor Anderson and the City Council don't get along. Is the push and pull between the council and mayor a problem? Explain why or why not. Is the rift more the fault of the council or the mayor? As a council person will you seek friendly relations with the mayor or do you think city government works better if there is some tension between the two houses of government?

Answer: In my opinion, it is always important to seek friendly relationships between the legislative and the administrative branches of government. However, there may arise disagreements as to policy development or implementation of policy which tend to unsettle those relationships. There have been many instances in which the Mayor and the City Council have disagreed over a policy or an action, but, at the end of the day, after the back and forth of discussion, the policy or ordinance finally approved by the Council was actually better than what had originally been proposed.

I don't think the "rift" between the Council and the Mayor is the fault of any one group or individual. Friendly relations ought to be the rule and, in most cases, discussions are amicable and constructive. I, personally, do not agree with the Mayor's style of leadership and, in some cases, feel that his proposals are not in the best interests of my constituents. In such cases, I feel it necessary to oppose him and/or find other solutions. However, when the Mayor's proposals are right for my constituents, I will always be supportive. I believe city residents anticipate that their elected officials will have differences of opinion - as I said, such differences often lead to better legislation - but, that such differences AND the individuals who hold those different opinions will always be treated with respect by those of opposing opinion.