Policy Talk

Those of us who teach public administration and policy proceed on the (generally unarticulated) assumption that policy debates are “evidence-based”–that is, that parties to the discussion begin with a general agreement about the nature of the argument–should we pass this bill, which will do X or Y? Should we contract out this function to a for-profit or non-profit entity? We may see the merits and demerits of the proposed action differently, but we assume a “reality based” starting point.

Increasingly, however,  in this age of talk radio, internet arguments and diminishing reach of traditional news sources, we aren’t starting from the same reality. The current debate about healthcare reform is a good example: reasonable people can and will differ over the wisdom or effectiveness of the various proposals on the table, but much of the rhetoric being employed “assumes facts not in evidence,” as we lawyers like to put it.

The question for the classroom is how to help students deal with and analyze a policymaking process that is increasingly chaotic and unreasonable–a process in which participants do not engage with the arguments involved, but seemingly talk over each other. If, as a popular book title suggests, men are from Mars and women from Venus, have we come to a point at which liberals are from Pluto and conservatives are from Alpha Centuri ?

Member Seeks Information on Successful Parks and Recreation Initiatives

Dear ASPA Members and Friends – I am posting the following message on behalf of an ASPA member looking for information on innovative parks and recreation programs. Please try and help by responding directly or by contacting a colleague in the P&R field. During these trying times, we’re all in this together. Thanks. –Matt Rankin, ASPA Deputy Director.

Hi everyone:  I have been asked by my Assistant Director to request information from my ASPA contacts concerning successful business ideas and programs for Parks that have been implemented throughout the US.  The Park & Recreation Department, where I have worked for the past 30 years, will be facing the toughest budget I have ever seen.  We are looking at business plans which could assist us in increasing revenue, utilizing programs that are working in other locales.  I would appreciate any and all ideas, contacts etc. that could assist me in this endeavor.  This could be a great reason to become a member of ASPA’s network of colleagues.  Thank you.

William E. Solomon, J.D.
Park & Recreation Resource Coordinator
Strategic Business Management Division
Miami-Dade Park & Recreation

Ph:305-755-7873/Fax:305-755-7890
pbs@miamidade.gov

Public Administration Abroad

I received my electronic copy of the ASPA Bridge today and I was super excited.  ASPA is considering starting a new special interest section to unite Mexican & American Public Administrators.  This is wonderful!!  Public Administration is much larger than the United States.  You would not believe how huge of a discipline it is abroad.  Russia, The United Kingdom, China and Mexico are all countries that embrace the field.

However, although I do believe that a new section would be welcomed and fully supported, as I know that I have already submitted my name to be included, I am wondering should there be a section slated just for Mexican-American unification or would one benefit from having a section that focuses upon “International” unification.

Currently we have the Section of International Comparative Administration (SICA) and the Section of Chinese Public Administration (SCPA). Both of which have international focus. What I can see happening however, is the suggestion of new interest sections springing up everywhere, how about one for Africa, and Russia and the UK?  At some point this will become counterproductive, so my suggestion is, how about having one additional section and calling it the Section of International Relationships of Public Administrators and the focus can be on unifying public administrators from all countries.  An action such as this has a broader focus, of course, but imagine what it just may render; new members, new chapters and an expanded reach for the organization.

I would be the first to submit my name for inclusion.

Sure, I would love to hear your thoughts

Vanessa

The Importance of Networking

I’m pleased and privileged to post my first blog entry on behalf of the Southern Nevada Chapter of ASPA. I just came back from a trip to the Tuscany region of Italy. I had the pleasure of visiting the area for the fifth time, but this time also included a conference in the Siena area, on Ecosystems and Sustainable Development.  This conference, sponsored by the Wessex Institute of Technology, brings together academics, administrators, practitioners, and industry representatives to discuss various topics of common interest, mostly focused on science, technology, and environmental issues. I’ve spoken at a number of their conferences, and I am always struck by the fact that many of the “lessons learned” discussed by the presenters seem to boil down to a few common themes: (1) vision; (2) communication; (3) stakeholder involvement; (4) system stability and flexibility to respond to change; (5) adequacy of resources; and (6) political will to make change.

It strikes me that what is most important about attending these conferences is the opportunity to compare notes, share lessons learned, and develop some replicable and transferable solutions to what are turning out to be issues of global concern and common interest. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you’re from Las Vegas, Nevada, or Asia, or South Africa, or Italy, or whether you are approaching the problem from an academic or practitioner’s point of view.  The point is that we share one planet, and we are more alike than we are different.  I should mention that because I work for local government, I attend these conferences on my own time, and on my own dime.  I don’t mind, though. It’s that important for me to invest in continuing education for myself, and to invest in bringing home important lessons to my colleagues and co-workers, in an effort to improve our community and bring the best ideas and solutions to the people we represent. 

Since ASPA is all about networking and professional development, I thought this was a fitting first subject to include in the blog. And, since the issue of sustainability is a cross-cutting issue and very much at the forefront for both academic research and public service agencies, I should also mention our local chapter efforts to partner with the local chapter of the American Planning Association at a recent workshop on Sustainability. As part of our local chapter’s theme of “Community First” this year, we are looking to expand our networks, strengthen partnerships, and invest in professional development opportunities that can have an immediate and significant impact on our stakeholders and citizens. I look forward to using this blog as a tool to learn and share with my fellow public administration professionals.

Reaching Out to Developers

In the current economic climate, the rate of home sales still lower than they have been in years and construction slowing in both residential and commercial construction, localities are trying to find ways to encourage developers to their city or county in areas that have experienced a slow down in their development. Let’s be honest, growth equals a tax base and dollars to cities, towns and counties.

One approach has been to introduce a Development Facilitator or Business Liaison to bridge the gap between planning and economic development and to help guide developers through all phases of construction. This person in some cases works out of the plan review office for commercial construction and residential subdivisions and works with the developer and applicants prior to their formal site plan submission all the way to grand opening.  This person also helps the developer and applicant to understand and move through the approval process smoothly and providing assistance to overcome any hurdles along the way.

Another locality is suspending some of their fees at this time to help entice developers and make it easier financially for builders to continue to build in their locality.

A third option is instituting a “fast track” or priority review process for projects that meet the criteria; which may include a preliminary meeting and review.

It takes time, but the new processes seems to be working as more developers and applicants become aware of these new services available to them.

These and many other options are an investment by the locality in their own future and will be well worth the investment over time.

Milisa Story, MPA

My Introduction to PA

In 1996, after deciding that I was ready to relocate and change career fields, I was a police officer at the time, I thought about my marketability.  I had a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Education and varied experiences.

I knew that I was ready to get out of the law enforcement field, but I wasn’t sure what career field I was ready to enter.  One thing was for sure however, I needed an advanced degree to be more marketable.

Because I was already in Law Enforcement I felt the best degree for me would be in Criminal Justice.  I took two classes and needless to say, I didn’t like it.  A girlfriend of mine at the time, during a discussion about college, told me about one of the local colleges starting a new Masters degree program in Public Administration.

Of course my first question after looking at her a little strange was, “what is Public Administration?”  She explained it this way, PA is a field for administrators that crosses just about all career fields.  She pointed out all of the major careers: Chief of Police, Directors, Program Managers, City and County Managers, Executive Directors, the list went on.  I had never heard of PA and did not think of any of these positions until that moment.

Of course I researched the field myself and I was excited about what I learned, so what did I do?  I enrolled in the program and needless to say I have been in the field ever since.

I love the fact that Public Administration is a broad field.  As a Public Administrator, I have worked for local governments, higher education, nonprofit organizations and a consultant to businesses that have philanthropic programs.

So, my question to you, how were you introduced to Public Administration and what do you LOVE about it?

Vanessa