As an NRD candidate, I have made the statement I can bring a “strong voice” for Subdistrict 2 to the NRD Board. I have had a few voters question what that means, and to their credit, the statement does not stand alone.
One potential voter even asked: “Does that mean you will shout at the meetings?” Of course, that is not what I mean by a “strong voice”, but the question highlights that such a statement needs some definition.
A strong voice for Rural Communities and Ag Producers means three things to me:
- Better Governance. An NRD Director should represent the needs and perspectives of the people who elected that Director to the Board, while exercising fiscal and policy judgement about what best serves the District as a whole. A Director’s responsibility is to the public, not to simply preserve institutional consensus or ratify staff recommendations. While NRD technical staff provide expertise and recommendations, the Board Directors determine what the organization should accomplish and why.
- Transparency and Public Engagement. Legal compliance with notice and minutes is a bare minimum for being transparent in NRD actions. A stronger voice is making sure citizens can understand what is being proposed, why it matters, what it costs, and how they can influence the decision before it is made.
- Oversight and Accountability. Obviously, a Director must not only advocate for his/her subdistricts interests but also balance the needs across the whole District. In that process, a strong Board (voice) would disclose conflicts, treat minority viewpoints seriously, and periodically examine/question if long-standing programs or practices still serve their intended purpose.
In summary, a “Strong Voice” is exercising independent judgement about what best serves the District – with responsibility to the public and not to just preserve institutional consensus or simply ratify staff recommendations. A “Strong Voice” addresses key questions like “How is this priority established”, “What are we trying to achieve”; “How will we know success” – all in a manner the public can easily see and understand.
