He shows up to just about every City Council meeting peppering questions before the legislative body. In this commentary John Marshall Lee becomes citizen journalist asking Council President Aidee Nieves about preparation for public office.
Have you ever heard a fellow citizen, a member of the Bridgeport voting public ask a question like: “Why don’t they do such a thing about such a serious subject?” Of course, you have, and of course the context is likely different each time that question is raised. But have you ever given thought to being a participant in the process as one of ‘THEM’? I suspect that one or more readers have given thought to running for City Council. The next opportunity for a Citywide Council election process is in the fall of 2025, plenty of time to study, to reflect, and seriously consider, in preparation for a candidacy.
I have respect for the recently elected Council President Aidee Nieves, and the difficulty of staying informed of actions in the City, aware of the rules and laws that form the processes that require following, and for taking advantage of opportunities to become more informed on her broad responsibility to serve all folks. How does she balance learning on the job, time required to listen and learn the root of a given concern, and then move towards an improvement in resolving problems citywide that likely will show up in the future?
“I have no more time than any other Bridgeport resident, just the normal 24/7, with reasonable attention to maintain good health and energy,” replied Aidee Nieves when I asked about time. “But the ability to accomplish responsibilities for reading and comprehending, in context, materials presented at each Council meeting as well as previous to each sub-Committee assignment and Liaison group is critical.” Attention to earning a living and family matters continue to inform everyone’s balancing act, she notes. “Avoiding being trapped in a silo or tower with limited room to explore common matters across the City is critical to effectiveness.”
I asked Aidee what does a Bridgeport voter in such a situation do, today, to prepare to promote a personal candidacy in the future? Among her answers were: Read the City Charter, as well as Ordinances (created by the Council), and understand the City website for the sources of information available without formal questions. Meet your City Council members and see what their purpose and priority is in your District and the level of accomplishment and satisfaction among your neighbors.
Attending Council meetings, two per month including Public Speaking sessions, to become broadly familiar with issues of concern in other parts of the City. Know that the Board of Education, Police Commission, and other public bodies hold meetings with agendas and minutes reported on a regular basis. At budget formation each year listen to each Department present their requests and backup rationale. Any questions? Note them. Pursue them. Get used to performing oversight. Read the CT Post and CT Mirror for government issues.
Have any thoughts about the questions you study? Prepare a three-minute response in Public Speaking? How do you feel? Is it time to get serious about running for office? Time will tell.
Dude, is there any question John Marshall Lee hasn’t asked? The whorst part is asking a question to which the answer is just common sense and obvious–such as the question here.
Joel, (Five more questions, if you please.)
So obvious to you? What percentage of OIB readers have bothered to look at the City Charter in the last four years? Or, have read it entirely? Is that the ‘common sense’ to which you refer? Coffee soon? Time will tell.
Keep this in mind:
Very few current, past, and future elected officials, have not, did not, and will not do any of the things listed by Aidee Nieves.
Not “few”,but many.
LOL 😂