Recently, as I watched more and more candidates take the field in the contest to replace the mayor, generally speaking I wasn’t too worried. I didn’t really see anyone step forward that I didn’t think I couldn’t outshine when the time came.
Except for one candidate – this Mark Farrell guy. I was a bit concerned that he might prove to have the chops to be a more formidable opponent, given his previous experience in city government. It’s obvious he has good general intellectual acumen, given he’s got what it takes to hold down challenging jobs like city supervisor and venture capitalist (whatever it is that a venture capitalist actually does all day).
I admit was a little worried as he prepared to announce his candidacy.
I’m not worried any more.
Presumably a serious person who is running for a public office as important as mayor of San Francisco would make his best effort every day while campaigning. I think that’s a reasonable thing to assume. Don’t you?
Firing Bill Scott on Day 1 – that’s it? Really? That’s your best idea? That’s going to suddenly improve policing in the city?
Really dumb.
Before I go on, I’d like speak directly to Mark Farrell’s financial supporters. Before you dump much more money into this fellow’s campaign I would urge you to check me out. He isn’t going to win anything if this is an example of his best work. He’s just going to waste your money.
I’ll give you better ideas, better leadership, and better results, all delivered with a respectful and collaborative style. No pounding on my hairy chest and bellowing “fire the bastard!”
Anyway, I guess Mr. Farrell thinks that the sub-optimal policing situation in this town is entirely the police chief’s fault.
I’ve got news for him – it isn’t. I’m not sure what he’s trying to imply, but when it comes to poor policing the fault lies with the elected leaders of this city and the few but loud voices that tend to influence most of their decision-making.
I’ll outline in detail exactly why I think it’s really dumb in another post. In the meantime, for your information, here’s what I would do with the police chief on Day 1:
Day 1 – We meet and talk. I put several direct, hard questions to him. I listen carefully to his responses. I then inform him that he and I will be meeting again, this time on my Day 366. After we finish talking, we shake hands, then both head out and get to work.
Day 366 – We meet and talk. We decide if, after a year of working together, we think things are going well. If we think they are, we shake hands, or maybe exchange high-fives, and then get back to work.
However, if things are not going well, the chief will then be informed that his continued employment with the City of San Francisco will be taken under review.
Of course I will meet with the chief more often than once a year. Right now I’m thinking a regularly scheduled formal meeting every two weeks is probably about right. With maybe a cup of coffee get-together sometime in between, schedules permitting.
Bill Scott is the least of our policing problems. Mark Farrell supporters – I think you’re backing the wrong guy …