Plan A Better Future For La Plata, Together
Vote For Town Council Ward 1 Candidate Paul Guttenberg
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Four Focus Areas For Resident Engagement
I believe it’s important for elected leaders to have plentiful input from residents and for more of La Plata’s residents to have the opportunity to get involved in local planning and government. That’s why, as a town councilman, I’ll focus on improvements in four areas of resident engagement:
1. Helping People Understand La Plata Better
The Challenge:
The Town of La Plata puts town meeting records online, and can be hundreds of pages long each. These documents are an important part of compliance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act; however, the formal language, high page count and format can make them hard to read and understand without a significant time investment.
What Paul Will Do as Town Councilman:
Paul will advocate for implementation of simple tools to create additional easy-to-read summaries of:
- Meetings
- Town council priorities
- Important issues
- Opportunities for our town
These new summaries will be more focused to help residents quickly absorb the topics.
Benefits of Paul’s Approach:
With better and timely access to summary information, more residents can become aware of what’s happening and when their input is most influential in shaping council decisions. This will create better ways for residents and the town council to work together.
2. Getting More People to Vote and Share Their Ideas
The Challenge:
In La Plata town elections, not many people vote. Even nationally less than 15% of registered local voters show up. This means a small group determines important things like:
- How fast our town grows
- Property tax changes
- Priorities for local legislation and town ordinances
- Community policing practices
What Paul Will Do as Town Councilman:
Paul will:
- Work for changes to our town’s voting ordinance to create expanded time for voting in future town elections.
- Advocate for improved ways for residents to give constructive feedback.
Benefits of Paul’s Approach:
When more people vote and share their ideas, the town council has better information from residents and can take actions more in line with what the community wants. Together we can make La Plata better.
3. Using Local Experts
The Challenge:
La Plata has commissions and boards that give advice to the town council and mayor, but it’s hard to find enough volunteers for these groups. Many residents have long commutes to work or have busy schedules, making it difficult for them to volunteer.
What Paul Will Do as Town Councilman:
Paul will:
- Find ways to make volunteering more appealing
- Create short-term volunteer projects that don’t take too much time
- Clearly explain how volunteers help our town
- Build stronger partnerships with local organizations and businesses
Benefits of Paul’s Approach:
When we make better use of our residents’ knowledge and skills, we can create a better La Plata together.
4. Helping Future Leaders
The Challenge:
Too many elections in La Plata have only one candidate. This means:
- We miss out on new ideas
- We don’t get fresh energy
- We can’t pick the best person for the job
La Plata has an untapped abundance of talented people who could help run our town.
What Paul Will Do as Town Councilman:
Paul will:
- Meet with residents who are thinking about running for office
- Help by answering questions to increase understanding of what serving on the town council involves
- Ask other experienced residents with election experience to mentor new candidates too
- Support programs like Citizens Academy
Benefits of Paul’s Approach:
When more people run for office, La Plata gets improved choices and voices to lead us into the future.
Paul’s Principles as A Town Councilman
My commitment to serve is built on five core principles: I will look at facts, ensuring evidence-based decisions; listen to alternative points of view, valuing diverse perspectives; be open and honest, fostering trust; consider the future, prioritizing long-term sustainability; and always do what’s right, upholding ethical standards. These principles will guide my service and ensure I represent the best interests of La Plata’s residents.
Paul’s Principle 1:
Look at Facts
I will gather available information from subject matter experts. When appropriate, I will also look at what similar municipalities have done for innovative ideas and lessons to be learned as we plan La Plata’s future. This principle helps me make evidence-based decisions informed by a broad set of experience and the best information available on town council topics.
Paul’s Principle 2:
Listen to Alternative Points of View
I will seek to hear from people in our community, especially those who don’t always get heard. I intend to help increase ways for people to share their thoughts in a constructive way on council topics they care about or have expertise in. This principle helps me check my own biases, challenge status quo thinking and broaden my existing perspective as I consider choices.
Paul’s Principle 3:
Be Open and Honest
I will clearly explain the reasons supporting my town council votes and choices. I believe in being transparent. This principle helps me avoid misunderstandings and serves as part of a healthy feedback loop between residents and town council members.
Paul’s Principle 4:
Consider the Future
I will consider how decisions may affect our town for years to come. I will make sure decisions are financially responsible and won’t cause our town resource problems later. I want La Plata to thrive into the future.
Paul’s Principle 5:
Do What’s Right
I will treat all people and ideas fairly and with respect. I will work to keep an open mind as choices are deliberated and considered on the Town Council. I will seek advisory opinions from the Town of La Plata Ethics Commissioners for any situation where my vote could be perceived by residents as having a conflict of interest. Ethics and trust in local government are very important to me, and also to the residents of La Plata.
Paul’s Decision Making Approach as A Town Councilman
If elected as a town councilman, I will prioritize informed and responsible decision-making. My approach involves: first, doing my homework to research and understand complex issues; second, thorough consultation with fellow council members and residents to be informed by alternative perspectives; third, careful deliberation, weighing options for fairness and long-term benefit; and finally, clear communication to help keep residents informed.
Paul’s Decision Approach
Step 1: Research
I am detail oriented and enjoy the process of moving toward deep understanding of complex topics, and I ask questions. For the topics under consideration by the town council, I will start by doing my homework.
Paul’s Decision Approach
Step 2: Consultation
I’ll work with fellow council members to consider what others think about an issue. I’ll meet with groups and residents who are engaged on an issue the council is working on.
If a topic is particularly complicated or could have a big impact, I’ll make sure we have enough time to get information from the residents and businesses it will affect. I’ll pay close attention to what they tell us.
Paul’s Decision Approach
Step 3: Deliberation
I will think about and carefully evaluate the variables within choices, considering the long term interest of the town and that it is fair. I will weigh all the options in the choices to be made.
Paul’s Decision Approach
Step 4: Communication
I will explain the decisions I make, and where appropriate, keep people updated on what happens next. I want to keep everyone informed.