Dealing with Elected & Appointed Official

1. Dealing with Elected & Appointed Official Presented by: Ralph Blakeslee RGB Consulting, LLC www.rgbconsulting.net Ralph@rgbconsulting.net Office Phone, 908-638-5908 Office Fax, 908-638-5907 Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

2. Dealing with Elected & Appointed OfficialsOfficial Course Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to build a strong working relationship with elected officials and key constituents. Since many elected officials are part time or relatively new to the local government environment, emphasis through out the course will be placed on the need for appointed officials to “educate” their elected partners. Participants will come away from the course with a better understanding of when and how to communicate to elected and public officials. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

3. Dealing with Elected & Appointed OfficialsUn-Official Course Purpose: Not Get Fired Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

4. Introductions • Ralph Blakeslee • 20 + Years in Local Government • Registered Municipal Clerk • Undergraduate Degree from Montclair State University • Graduate Degree in Public Administration from Rutgers Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

5. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

6. Introductions Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

7. What We Are Going Today? • A Little Civics 101 – covering the basics • Education – for YOU and THEM • Communication – Its YOUR Lifeline • Participation – It builds trust in YOU • Tell War Stories… Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

8. And Now Some History Now that’s too much history…. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

9. A Quick History of NJ Local Government • Originally Settled by the Dutch, Called New Netherland • Taken from the Dutch by England • King Charles II of England Gave the Land that is now NJ to his Brother James, Duke of York - 1664 • The Charter Created Two Proprietary Colonies-East & West • The Charter Granted the Holder to Incorporate Municipalities in a General Assembly Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

10. A Quick History of NJ Local Government Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

11. A Quick History of NJ Local Government What Did James of York Do With His New Possessions? He Gave Them Away To Sir George Carteret, in exchange for a debt, & his friend Lord John Berkeley They Appointed Philip Carteret, George’s Cousin, The First Governor There Were Many Problems Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

12. A Quick History of NJ Local Government • Disputes Over the East-West Line • Attacks by Native Americans • Squatters • Attempts by New York Leaders to Take Over the Colonies In Order to Attract Settlers Carteret & Berkeley Promised Religious Freedom Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

13. A Quick History of NJ Local Government In 1702 Queen Ann: • Combined East & West into New Jersey • Designated NJ a Royal Colony • The method of Municipal Incorporation changed from legislative grant to royal charter • The First Royal Governor was Edward Hyde • Ineffective and corrupt ruler, taking bribes and speculating on land Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

14. A Quick History of NJ Local Government Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

15. A Quick History of NJ Local Government He Got Fired Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

16. A Quick History of NJ Local Government • Fast Forward to the American Revolution • We Throw the Bums Out • The Power to Incorporate Municipalities Reverts back to the Assembly • The First General Law Dealing with Municipal Incorporation was the “Township Act of 1798” Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

17. A Quick History of NJ Local Government • To Summarize, early New Jersey: • Stolen Property (from the Dutch) • A Payoff (Carteret’s debt) • Divided…. • The Subject of Nepotism (My Cousin Carteret, the Governor) • A Haven For Religious Non-Conformist • A Failed Business Venture • Ruled by a Royal Cross-Dresser Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

18. A Now A Word From The Political Science Department: • Federalism and State & Local Government • Federalism is a form of government where power and responsibility is divided between a national government and smaller sub-units • State Government is responsible for establishing further sub-division of power and responsibility • Local Government exists and operates only at the pleasure of the state Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

19. The Concept of “Home Rule” • “Home Rule” is the concept that sub-divisions of the central government can self-govern themselves • “Article IV, Section VII (11) of our New Jersey Constitution guarantees that counties & municipalities will have powers that are both expressly granted & implied by necessity… • And the Home Rule Act of 1917 states that it is the intention to give all municipalities the fullest and most complete powers possible over the internal affairs of such municipalities for local self-government. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

20. So What Happen To Home Rule? Rise of the Industrial Nation Issues of Little Importance Became Important More Demands for Government Services & Enforcement Politicians Grew More Corrupt The Number of Government Employees Grew Government Became More Complex What’s all that mean? Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

21. Some Basics… Before We Begin…. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

22. Know Your Partners-Motivations for Becoming an Elected Officials • The Reformer • The Advocate • The Single Issue Candidate • The Angry Citizen Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

23. Know Their Responsibilities Elected Officials • Follow the Law (Duh) • Stay Educated on the Issues • Set Short & Long Term Goals • Develop Policy • Direct Staff • Stay In Touch with the Constituents • Stay In Touch with the Staff Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

24. Know Your Responsibilities Staff • Follow the Law (Hello Mr. Prosecutor) • Educate the Elected Officials • Help the Elected Officials Stay in Touch with the Constituents • Implement Policy • Contribute to Policy Development • Assist with goal setting Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

25. Remember… That individual elected officials have no power to direct, change or adopt policy. Only Governing Body, acting as a “Whole”, can do so. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

26. Know the Rules Personnel Policies • One of the most valuable tools to maintain order • Should be adopted by ordinance or resolution (if by resolution, then annually at reorganization) • Should cover all employees, full and part time Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

27. Personnel Policies True or False? Personnel Policies Cover Elected Officials Its True…. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

28. When the Rules Get Broken You Need Grievance Procedures • What is a “grievance” A grievance is simply a formal statement of complaint, generally against an authority figure. Source: Wikipedia.org Question: Name the most famous list of grievances in American History Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

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30. Forms & Types of NJ Local Government Local Government is General Patterned after the other forms of government in country Executive - Mayor Legislative – Committee/Council Judicial – Municipal Court Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

31. Forms & Types of NJ Local Government • New Jersey Local Government (Municipal) Can Be Categorized in the Following Groups: • Traditional Form • Modern Form • Faulkner Act Form • Non-Standard Form Why Do You Need To Know This? Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

32. Forms & Types of NJ Local Government The Type and Form of Local Government will Dictate who is the “Appointing Authority” and under what terms and conditions that authority may make appointments. N.J.S.A. 52:27D-126(a) states: The appointing authority of any municipality shall appoint a construction official and any necessary subcode officials to administer and enforce the code… Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

33. Forms & Types of NJ Local GovernmentTraditional Form Township Form Government Is headed by a weak Mayor, which is selected by the members of the Township Committee and acts a the meeting chair. Unless specially empowered by state statute the entire Township Committee is the “appointing authority”. Borough Form of Government Is headed by an independently elected Mayor. The Mayor nominates and, with advice and consent of the Council, appoints all subordinate officers of the borough unless otherwise prescribed specifically by law. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

34. Forms & Types of NJ Local GovernmentTraditional Form Town Form Government Is headed by a Mayor with limited appointment power. With the exception of Municipal Clerk, Tax Collector and Tax Assessor, the Council appoints all subordinate officials. City Form Is headed by a Mayor with limited appointment power. The Mayor can appoint the Police Chief and can appoint, suspend or remove all employees of the Police Department. The Council shall have the power to appoint all subordinate officials. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

35. Forms & Types of NJ Local GovernmentTraditional Form Village Form Government Is Anyone Here From Loch Arbor? Governed by Five Trustees Villages Incorporated after 1/1/90 Conform to the Township Form of Government Note: Three other municipalities retain the use of “Village” in their name, but utilize a different “type” for governance: Ridgefield Park (Walsh Act Type) Ridgewood (Faulkner Act Council-Manager charter) South Orange (Township of South Organge Village) Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

36. Forms & Types of NJ Local GovernmentModern Form • Enacted to “Modernize” Local Government during the Progressive Era (1890’s to 1920’s) • 1911 Walsh Act/Commission • Towns governed by the Commission Form have a three or five member Commission. The Commission on a whole appoint the municipal clerk, court clerk and municipal judge. All other functions, including appointments, are divided amongst commissioners who each head a department. • 1923 Municipal Manager Act • Manager is chief executive and administrative official of the municipality. Prepares budget. Manager appoints and removes department heads. Attends Council meetings with voice, but no vote. Manager appoints and removes department heads. • Both forms are characterized by having “weak” mayors and non-partisan legislative bodies Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

37. Forms & Types of NJ Local GovernmentFaulkner Act/Optional Municipal Charter Law • Adopted in 1950 and Revised in 1981 • 21% of NJ Municipalities Use This Form • Emphasizes Strong Executive & Professional Management • Initiative, Referendum & Recall Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

38. Educator Yourself Forms & Types of NJ Local GovernmentFaulkner Act/Optional Municipal Charter Law • The mayor-council plan gives the mayor strong powers. Each municipality under this plan establishes three to ten executive departments, each headed by a director appointed by the mayor with the consent of the council. It provides for a business administrator to assist the mayor. • The council-manager plan places complete responsibility for municipal affairs in the council. The council appoints a municipal manager who is the chief executive with broad authority. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

39. Educator Yourself Forms & Types of NJ Local GovernmentFaulkner Act/Optional Municipal Charter Law • The small municipality plan can be adopted by communities with a population of fewer than 12,000. All legislative powers are vested in the council with the mayor presiding over council sessions and having both voice and vote. • The mayor-council-administrator system is basically the borough form with an appointed professional administrator added. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

40. Educator Yourself Forms & Types of NJ Local GovernmentNon-Standard Form Special Charters • There are two types of special charters in New Jersey: • 1) "Orphan" charters issued by the state legislature in the 19th century prior to the major constitutional revision of 1875, which prohibited "special" or locality specific legislation. Most "orphan" charters are a variation of the weak mayor-council type. • 2) Special charters issued by the state legislature under the provisions of the state Constitution of 1947 and NJSA 1:6-10 et seq. These special charters defy simple classification, and include variations of the weak mayor-council form, council-manager form, township committee form, and the village form. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

41. What Form and Type of Local Government do you work for? Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

42. Remember… That individual elected officials have no power to direct, change or adopt policy. Only Governing Body, acting as a “Whole”, can do so. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

43. Know the Rules Personnel Policies • One of the most valuable tools to maintain order • Should be adopted by ordinance or resolution (if by resolution, then annually at reorganization) • Should cover all employees, full and part time Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

44. Personnel Policies True or False? Personnel Policies Cover Elected Officials Its True…. Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

45. How to Deal with Elected & Appointed Officials Ralph’s Golden Guidelines First… You must education them Second… You must communicate with them Last… You must participate in governing with them Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

46. First educate yourself…. …Then you can teach others Ralph Blakeslee Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

47. Educate YourselfControlling Statutes, Procedures & Rules • New Jersey Statutes Annotated • New Jersey Administrative Code • Local Administrative Codes • By-Laws & Personnel Policies • Roberts Rule of Order Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

48. Educate Them Ralph’s “Piano Player” Law I am just a piano player. You give me the music, and I play. However my job is just not to play the music. I advise you about the venue, the audience, whether the piano is out of tune and whether or not YOU CAN SING “Piano Player” by Karl Skaret Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

49. Educate Them About… • The Parameters of Your Job Responsibilities • Your Staff’s Roles & Responsibilities • The Work Processes in Your Office • The Conditions of Your Office • The Level of Work in Your Office • Issues You Face • Their authority…they are elected not to run the town, but to see that the town is run… Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC

50. Communicate with Them One of the basic causes for all the trouble in the world today is that people talk too much and think too little. They act impulsively without thinking. I always try to think before I talk. Margaret Chase Smith Ralph Blakeslee - RGB Consulting, LLC