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52 <br />STATEMENT OF VALUES <br />9. I am forward thinking. In practice, this value means that: <br /> a. I promote intelligent, proactive, and thoughtful innovation in order to advance the city’s policy <br /> agenda and provide city services while considering the broader regional, statewide, national, and <br /> international implications of the city’s decisions and issues. <br /> b. I maintain consistent standards, but am also sensitive to the need for compromise, creative <br /> problem solving, and making improvements when appropriate. <br /> c. I am open to new ideas and processes, adopting them as they conserve resources and provide <br /> efficient and effective service. <br /> d. I consider the potential long-term consequences and implications of my actions and inactions. <br />10. I am respectful and model civility. In practice, these values mean that: <br /> a. I support opportunities for civil discourse and discussion in the community and at City Hall. <br /> b. I serve the residents of the St. Anthony Village who place a high value on respect and civility in <br /> their lives. <br /> c. I understand that these characteristics are essential to any healthy community. <br /> d. I realize an atmosphere of incivility and disrespect can have a damaging effect on the proceedings, <br /> on the quality of debate, and on the practice of democracy itself. <br /> e. I recognize the city council sometimes addresses controversial issues about which people often <br /> feel passionately, which at times leads to uncivil behavior. <br /> f. I will practice the nine tools of civility to provide increased opportunities for civil discourse in <br /> order to find positive resolutions to the issues that face our city, including: <br /> a) Pay attention d) Do not gossip g) Apologize <br /> b) Listen e) Show respect h) Give constructive criticism <br /> c) Be inclusive f) Be agreeable i) Take responsibility. <br />Presiding officers should model and enforce decorum. The mayor is in a unique position, as the <br />presiding officer at city council meetings, to model meeting decorum, civility, and respect. <br />The mayor should conduct meetings in a manner that encourages open discussion of issues and <br />honest differences of opinion, without the use of personal attacks, name calling or <br />scapegoating. <br /> Civility and decorum, perhaps more than any other factor—both inside meetings and outside – <br />is the key to building successful relationships with council.