Memo to City Employees
from Mayor Chris Beutler

10/29/2009

Dear Public Servants:

I have heard what you said.

I received a tremendous response to my e-mail on civility.

Most pointed out that they already practice courtesy and civility with everyone they encounter in doing the City's business. They are proud of their service and wanted me to know they take pride in their jobs and how they present themselves to the public. They wanted to make sure that in any follow-up, this point was made.

I agree with their sentiments and believe strongly that our City employees go above and beyond the call of duty in providing fair and courteous service to the public. I do not want my statement of expectations to be construed as an admonishment of the City's workforce. It was simply a reminder of our goals. You do a great job and I assure you that any public discussion on civility will include a strong statement in support of how our employees generally conduct themselves.

Several respondents thought I was unclear on disengaging from an abusive person. Every employee must decide the proper time to disengage since each situation will be different. My hope is that, until that moment of disengagement, every employee will maintain control and do nothing to fan the flames of discord or to open himself or herself to criticism by joining in the incivility.

Others reminded me that the public shares the responsibility for civil discourse, that civility cannot be a one-way street. They were concerned that a newspaper letter from me which fails to ask the public to be courteous sets up City employees to take abuse without recourse. I understand this concern. The public needs to understand that city employees are also entitled to civil treatment. I pledge to you that any public statement will include a call for citizens to treat city employees respectfully.

With your suggestions and thoughts, I believe that together we have found a level of expectations that meets our vision of how city government ought to function while taking into account the reality faced by our city employees each and every day.

Thank you for thoughtful insights and comments. I appreciate our continuing conversation.

Sincerely,

Chris Beutler
Mayor of Lincoln