Position – Analysis and Decision-Making. I support a fact-based decision-making process where major decisions are supported by documentation. Public forums will be used to collect and share information representing all sides of an argument. People may not always agree with the final decision but will have confidence that the process was as fair and objective as possible.
Explanation: When it comes to major decisions regarding tax money, my concern is with the process. One of the responsibilities of a citizen is to serve as a jurist. This requires that you show up (no phones 😊). Facts and evidence are introduced, and arguments and counterarguments are presented that represent both sides of the issue. Ask questions, listen to the closing arguments, and make a decision.
In terms of policy, the role of the “judge and appellate courts” in ensuring the quality of the process, kicks in when citizens take the time to determine if the change (decision/vote) actually resulted in the expected improvement.
If you notice, on my Facebook posts, I include links to Independent Voters, where I collect and share information. I think a record post was over 50 pages if it was printed out, and the links to more information were likely over 1,000. And yes, its time-consuming, but I’ve learned quite a bit on a lot of issues. In my military career, I served as an all-source analyst. The available information was extensive, but the process for filtering the information and supporting a decision and the aftermath is similar.
An outline of the decision-making process is also available at Brown County Leader Network (BCLN).
In the area of quality management, when I had the opportunity to attend a training session by a world-renowned expert, I thought he made sense of some things but not others, so I worked to disprove his theories. I could not do it. I spent about 7 years (part-time) sharing what I learned that was published in a book: Success Through Quality.
