Case study Information or Advocacy Is There a Difference As the city manager of a small community fa...........

 Information or Advocacy - Is There a Difference?

As the city manager of a small community facing the prospects of a 3 crores rupees shortfall in property tax revenues if the voters statewide approve the tax referendum Save Our Homes cap of 3-percent assessment increases, you are distressed about what the impact will be on the quality of life for residents. You know that it will be necessary to cut services severely, which will surely lower thequality of life in Ludhiana. You muse. "What can I do about this?" "Should I mount an information drive to alert residents of the situation?" "Should 1 he a public advocate urging voters to vote ''no'' on the referendum?"

You consider the following options:

1. Call for a town hall meeting and forcefully present the case against the referendum.

2. Put pro/con information about the referendum in the residents'' bills.

3. Post flyers around town at such places as city hall and the utilities department drawing attention to the service cuts.

4. Write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper.

Discussion questions

1. If you decide to write a letter to the editor, what should you say?

a. Vote “no” on Amendment 10?

B Describe the cuts in services that will follow?

2. As an appointed city official, is it you job to advocate against the amendment?

3. What would you do if your city council voted to oppose the amendment? Voted to support the amend men?

4. Do city managers have the duty to voice what they believe is in the best interests of the community even if the council disagrees? Agrees?

5. Is there a thin line between providing information and advocating a policy preference, even if you feel it is the right thing to do?

By: Mona Kaushal