November 14, 2006
The transition blueprint is born of my campaign commitments to inclusive, controlled growth of our City. The organization will operate with a funneling effect, but also with a built-in check in the committee structure and use of key experts. We want a free agent group who can ensure that “groupthink” does not set in to foreclose other ideas—to get the most ideas and then separate from those the best ideas.
The mega-committees or spheres of inquiry shown below will be asked to organize themselves according to those persons best suited for more specific areas of inquiry. Overall, the committee structure will answer certain questions about the state of our community, and then compile, organize, and forward that information to the executive transition team, which in turn will use the information to assess delivery of governmental services by the City’s divisions—including whether divisions need re-organization or creation. Clarence Fields has graciously opted to chair the executive group; I am thankful for his leadership across the river and participation now to aid us and ultimately our region.
The spheres represent the macro-components of “smart” growth. Under each sphere, specific issues will be addressed, which may serve useful for organizational purposes by the committees; however, the committees may organize as each desires through its membership.
These issues include consideration of: planning, transportation, economic development, housing, community development, and natural resource development. To smartly grow and preserve what we have, Alexandria should protect its unique sense of community and identity (and further develop a thematic draw, such as its healthcare primacy in the region); preserve and capitalize on natural, infrastructural, and cultural resources (like our river, interstate system, and central location); fairly and inclusively distribute the costs and benefits of our numerous new developments (to reflect our demographics and equitably “grow” our town to avoid sprawl when appropriate); expand the choices for transportation, employment and housing (through mixed-use and other less-thought-of opportunities); value long-range, regional considerations of sustainability instead of immediate gratification (or what will work to make growth more diverse and not subject to deep fluctuations in our local economy and business community); and promote public health and healthful communities (better time spent by our youth after school with positive activities as well as physical health for our community by promoting quality of life initiatives and our hospital complexes).
The committee compositions are reflective of this City, and include some of our “best and brightest.” The goal of transition is to identify problem areas and allow the incoming administration to get a “snapshot” of government through the “fresh” eyes of caring community leaders—but not necessarily to move committed employees out of service. Ultimately, the central mission is to have the current city managers transition the new mayor into office. This administration seeks to identify avenues to revitalize and build our community better—locally and regionally.
Thank you for your support and patience.
--Jacques M. Roy, November 14, 2006
QUALITY OF LIFE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
& COMMUNITY HEALTH
1. Victor Kirk
2. Lamar White
3. Graves Theus
4. Lee Gwinn
5. Reverend Larry Turner
6. Bart Jones, P.T.
7. Les Glankler
8. Todd Drury, M.D.
9. A.C. Buchanan
10. Reverend Dan O’Connor
11. Booker T. Booze, Jr.
12. Robert Leavines
13. Robert Bussey
14. Stephen Wright
Eight positions unfilled or unconfirmed
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Byron Salazar 1. Chad Juneau
2. David Pugh 2. Glenda Fitzpatrick
3. __________ 3. ________
4. Martin Johnson 4. Sam Sansing
5. __________ 5. ________
6. Joe Fuller 6. Rob Ratcliff
7. Jason Gamlin 7. Brandon Monceaux
8. Nancy Stich 8. Jo Betty Sterkx
9. Cliff Mollor 9. Kevin Switzer
10. George Robertson 10. ____________
11. Brent Caplan 11. Jay Lynch
EDUCATION, RECREATION & CHILDREN
1. ______________
2. Rodessa Metoyer
3. Gary Jones
4. ______________
5. Thelma Baker
6. Kristy Flynn
7. Greg Gormanous
8. Tim Tharpe
9. Rodney Jones
10. ______________
11. Paul Dauzat
12. Herbert Dixon
13. Stephanie Goodrich
14. Wally Fall
15. ____________
The mega-committees will work with the transition team to identify how well divisions are meeting their missions and if missions need redefining or retooling. Additionally, this interaction will consider:
- Community-based planning
- How to articulate a vision and who is passionate in our city to achieve it
- Promoting an image for the city, and overcoming the limitations to that image
- How to best create and sustain numerous partnerships and collaborations
- What would division and department heads like to see different
- What resources are missing
There will be a committee known as the Personal Advisory Committee to the Mayor-Elect:
This committee is composed of personal advisors to the mayor-elect, who were instrumental in the campaign. The committee will not serve in a formal transition capacity, but will interact directly with the executive team. This committee will cease to exist December 3, 2006, and is in place to help with the day-to-day activity of transition for the mayor-elect. The membership will be:
John Flynn, Chris Roy, Sr., Chris Roy, Jr., Deborah Randolph, Thomas Antoon, Larry Accosta, Mike Johnson, W. Jay Luneau and Mark Brown
The personal advisory committee and executive transition committee will have key advisors regarding the spheres. Those persons are experts in relevant fields of inquiry:
QUALITY OF LIFE: Johnie Varnado
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: ________________
INFRASTRUCTURE: Thomas David
EDUCATION: Kay Michiels
VISION: ________________
The executive or functioning committee for transition, and the actual body which will interface with the personal advisory group and the administration, is the Executive Transition Committee to the Current Administration:
Clarence Fields (chairperson of Committee), Richard Rozanski (Vice-Chair of Committee), Jacqueline Whittle (secretary of committee), Charles “Chuck” Johnson, William Allen, “Willie” Spears, Tammi Salazar, Ed Larvadain, III, Linda Dyess Stewart, Randy Gilchrist, and Rob Antoon
This committee will meet with the chairpersons from the “sphere” committees and present information, after consultation with the key advisors, to the mayor-elect. During this process, important staff decisions will also be made after consideration of the credentials for the positions requiring filling by the mayor. This committee will cease to exist December 3, 2006.
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Tuesday, November 14, 2006.
