Policy Consensus E-News — July 2006
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In this issue:
- Mediation Background Aids Governor’s Advisor
- Institute Created to Give Transportation Leaders Training
- Profile: Daniel Kemmis
- Call for Articles
Virginia Governor’s Senior Advisor Brings Mediation Background
Mark
Rubin, a lawyer-mediator who has been a leader in the Virginia dispute
resolution community, was recently appointed Senior Advisor to Virginia’s
Governor Tim Kaine. Rubin says, “He (the Governor) introduces me
as his mediator.” Rubin also serves as Deputy Counselor and carries
the transportation portfolio in the policy office.
Rubin actually began working for the Governor while he was mediating a policy dispute between the cable and telecommunications industries for the state legislature. Lawmakers were frustrated with the inability of the parties to resolve their differences over video franchising. They urged the parties to use mediation.
Florida to Launch MPO Institute
For
several years, the Florida Conflict Resolution Consortium, Florida State
University, has provided individual metropolitan planning organizations
(MPOs) with training workshops. MPOs are located in urban areas of 50,000,
or more, throughout the country and are involved in transportation planning
and coordination. Their Boards are made up of public officials.
During these workshops, newly elected MPO members often acknowledged they did not fully understand the basics of the planning process and their roles in addressing transportation problems. Experienced members were equally frustrated by the challenges of collaborating in an ever-changing environment, including frequent turnover in MPO membership.
Kemmis Calls For More Face-To-Face Problem Solving
Daniel
Kemmis, one of the west’s leading contemporary thinkers and writers
on topics of community, regionalism and democracy, recently spoke at a
PCI sponsored workshop for university and state conflict resolution and
consensus building programs.
Kemmis described how conflict resolution in the public sphere represents an evolution in democratic practice and theory. “It is fundamentally democratic to do face-to-face problem solving,” said Kemmis. He enunciated two themes also being promoted by PCI – the role of leaders as conveners, and the role universities can play in providing places where the public can come together to discuss issues.
Wanted:
News About Projects and Case Studies
If you have an example of a case or project involving state leaders or
state agencies, we would be happy to write it up and publish it in a future
edition of E-News. And for letting us know about the story, you will receive
a free copy of the PCI publication or video of your choice (does not include
the Trainers Manual.) If you have a story, please contact
PCI with a brief description and the phone number of a contact person.
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