Three veteran mayors told an audience of nearly 20 newly elected mayors from across the country that frequent, effective and honest communication to the public is essential in times of crisis at a panel discussion Wednesday night at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
The panel, which focused on effective leadership during crises, was just a small part of a three-day intensive training program for the new mayors offered by Harvard’s Institute of Politics, which included seminars, panels and workshops on major issues of urban policy.
‘Most people get their idea about what government is and what government does from their mayors,’ said Institute of Politics director and panel moderator Dan Glickman.
Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley and Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb all offered similar advice to the new mayors about transitioning into their jobs and handling local problems.
The mayors said they handle crises in their cities from budget crunches to tunnel fires to last summer’s major blackout by remembering they are ultimately in charge and must make their best decision with whatever information they have.
They said it is important to have a thorough and up-to-date plan ready for emergencies. They also all stressed communication.
‘Remember who you are and that the public looks to you and wants to see you,’ Webb said. ‘Give constant daily information to the public so that you can lead them through the crisis and tell them what they should be doing.’
But O’Malley warned against giving out unreliable information to reassure the city.
‘The biggest mistake people make in managing crisis is to assume facts and try to look like you know more than you know,’ he said. ‘It is really tempting to go out on a limb and try to fill in the blanks for people.’
The veteran mayors also said homeland security funding is often limited and misdirected to ‘secondary responders,’ rather than police and fire departments.
‘The federal government is still obsessed with the notion of only sending money to the state capitals, not based on the infrastructure, but where the voters live,’ O’Malley said. ‘If we’re truly fighting the war on terror on two fronts, there’s not nearly enough money going to protect the homeland.’
Webb said mayors must communicate with legislators because cities have to implement policies made by Congress and state legislatures.
‘There’s an attitude problem among federal officials,’ Webb said. ‘They make and pass legislation without talking to anybody.’
New mayors in the audience said they appreciated the opportunity to get advice and suggestions from those who have done the job for years.
‘The discussion was very helpful,’ said Kathy Keolker-Wheeler, the mayor-elect of Renton, Wash. ‘I am hoping to avoid making some of the mistakes they’ve made by learning from their experience.’