As I consider publicly supporting a City Council candidate, I do so with a very good understanding of how I believe leadership needs to be improved in our beautiful city. These perspectives, developed over the past 20-plus years, have evolved from several viewpoints, first as president of Kinko's Inc. relocating from Santa Barbara to Ventura and operating a major corporation, and second as the managing partner in commercial real estate development, recently completing a multiyear downtown project.
I have experienced firsthand the frustrations of working with a city government that exists in a culture of "no."
Mike Tracy has characteristics and experience that I think will help improve the relationships and processes.
The first is Mike's preference for a "professional manager" to lead the city versus the more "visionary" type of city manager. Mike has firsthand knowledge of well-executed (or not) management practices in Ventura and understands that good management practices have a lot to do with the public's poor perception of government performance.
Secondly, Mike supports the "citizen as customer" strategy with a desire to see improved levels of service and internal rewards and incentives to support the goals. Mike would support a customer measurement system for city performance that is open and transparent. This would ensure a better business culture for both the citizens and the employees of the city.
Third is intelligence and common sense. I believe Mike will bring an element of common sense and practical decision-making skills to the role that will help him work with others as well as communicate a rationale for decisions.
Please join me in voting for Mike.
-- Dan Frederickson, Ventura