The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to [email protected].

Question:

Dear Honorable Mayor:

President Trump has said repeatedly during his campaign and as president that politics are all talk and no action. This is indeed the feelings of many citizens regarding their governments both on the state and federal level. If you were to reply to Mr. Trump’s rhetoric, how would you debunk his claim? Can you use specific examples from your past experience in our local government?

Response from Mayor Coles:

Hi Bill,

I’m not sure I agree with him on that. I think there are many men and women who choose public service, elected or appointed, as a calling. They look to take their vision of how things should be and work very hard to bring it to reality. Of course their vision is going to contrast with folks on the other side of the aisle. I think where our system had failed recently, is that these 2 groups spend too little time talking to each other and more time demonizing each their and playing to their respective bases.

It is also a matter of scale. It is much easier for a committee person like myself to maintain regular contact with his constituents than someone on a county, state or federal level. Take yesterday, when I spent part of my Sunday afternoon meeting with a couple who had questions about how a potential zoning change could affect them. Or today, when I’m sitting at the computer at 6:00AM composing a response to your question and several others. By the way, I answer each of these questions myself. I don’t delegate them out.

Thanks

Ray

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Have a question for the Mayor? Send it to [email protected]