Dianna Lynn Hill answers the Observer 11 Questions

1.) If elected to the position of County Executive, what three or four goals would top the list of things that you'd hope to accomplish during your term in office?

I will bring military type LEADERSHIP by example with Loyalty, Equality, Appreciation, Duty, Ethics, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal courage for upholding democracy by and for the people of Cuyahoga County.

My priority will be putting our families first with an "Extreme Makeover of Reform: Cuyahoga County Edition" to restore public trust and faith in our public servants and services.  Our people are the greatest assets of our County, they deserve to enjoy the prosperity that comes with positive, productive, and passionate reform.

I will work to implement the Government Innovators Strategies for Reform which promotes transparency in all government processes: policies must encourage public participation, ethical professional practices, and basic “Business 101” standard operating procedures of accountability.

I will post on our County website a public calendar so that all  events, meetings, and forums can be managed effectively while inviting public participation.
 
2.) What do you regard as the major challenges that must be met in order for the new system of county government to succeed?

The most significant challenge is transforming the attitude of public servants and the people we serve. We must unite to conquer generations of corrupt practices. 

Our community can be united if they are led by example, in all of our business operations and practices.  We must publicly seek healthy objectives with the highest ethical standards.  Leadership must be transparent, accountable, and always appreciative of our people.

3.) How do you define good government?

-Upholds democracy by and for the people in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws through equality, respect, ethical business practices and accountable leadership. 

-The public is informed and has opportunities to participate without being undermined, there are open opportunities for citizens of any diversity to be included in the governing process.

-  Inspires and empowers our citizens to achieve their American Dreams by providing resources that bridge the gap from ideas to reality.

- Protects the best interests of the people it serves. 

-Invites business investment and works to sustain viable businesses in our community, while inviting global business investors into our region to promote economic development.

-Encourages community development that provides employment opportunities and inspires small business investments by our citizens.

4.) Do you believe the new County Executive/Council structure can put an end to the corruption and patronage that have dominated news headlines for the past several years?

Yes, but I recognize that there will always be those who think that they can manipulate the system abusively.

The new structure requires a leader who is ready, willing, and able to implement aa  Tolerance Policy that eliminates any public servant from their position if found guilty of violating the code of ethics or any laws. There is NO EXCUSE for violating the public’s trust.

Our world will always have crime, but we have an opportunity to transform our local government through direct oversight.  We do not need to reinvent wheels of oversight; we should BE that oversight. We must have the courage to stand up for what is right on behalf of the citizens’ interests.

5.) Under the new charter, several top county officials who in the past were directly elected by the voters will now be appointees chosen and approved by the new Executive and County Council. Do you see that as a positive step?

Yes, I see appointments to positions as a positive step if completed with consensus, in open democratic  process.

All applicants should be required to provide a public profile which empowers our community to provide feedback in advance of any decisions. All applicants should be required to pass drug tests, background checks, and should be assessed on merit and experience. Appointments should be made openly and democratically with the County Council and the public’s discretion taken into consideration.

6.) What approach would you take to working with the new County Council to keep lines of communication open in order to achieve consensus on major county wide objectives?

By providing ground rules and leading by example , I will invite extraordinary opportunities for all of our people to communicate.

I will provide an open door policy, implement a time management policy, and provide all public servants with a “rules of engagement” policy. If we all work towards earning the public’s trust through transparent and accountable operations, while also inviting public participation through County Town Hall Forums and interactive resources, then, working together, we will ascertain our goals.

As each County Council representative will have different needs; we need to ensure that everyone is made aware of those objectives so that we can all work together to share our knowledge, skills, and abilities, towards mission accomplishment.

We all will bring significant experiences to the table; it is my goal to promote equitable, respectful, considerate, and ethical communication practices amongst our public servants and the public at large.

7.) When will Cuyahoga County voters know if the new government structure is working as envisioned-and how will they know?

The “voters” will know the new government structure is working when everyone; including non-voters and unregistered citizens begin to enjoy the democratic opportunities and prosperity that come with promoting ethical business practices at large.

Once our citizens begin to re-engage in democracy and invest in our community because they trust and depend on the leadership to uphold the highest ethical standards in accordance with protecting their rights, then we‘ll know the new government structure is working.

Our public will know because they will be able to see the transformation process through public media resources that will invite their contributions and respect them without stepping on their identities.

As we transform corrupt government practices into transparent and accountable government practices, our citizens will be able to understand how bureaucratic operations function. They will have opportunities to provide feedback and to be part of the reformation process.

I believe in education and I particularly believe in providing interested citizens with the tools they need to achieve their dreams, or to react to systematic abuses without getting defeated at the door.

We will know that our government structure is working well when every public servant serves with the humility, honor, and respect that invite public investment.

8.) Do you believe the new structure has the potential to spark economic growth and job creation in Northeast Ohio? If so, how might that happen?

Once our citizens and the outside world recognize that we are operating a world class, ethical, and highly accountable government system; the attitudes of our citizens within will change, while investors both locally and globally will have faith in doing business with us again.

Formerly disillusioned people will be rejuvenated by the American spirit that inspires them and empowers them to achieve their American Dreams! I want to promote public resources that empower our citizens to overcome obstacles towards investing in Cuyahoga County. 

I want to assist small business investors with ascertaining all incentives available to turn their business concepts into reality. I want to inspire citizens to take chances and challenge them to fill the empty storefronts in Cuyahoga County by promoting our public assets, resources, tax incentives and promoting equal opportunity.

Our leadership shall be committed to inspiring the best in our community at large and inviting them to be a part of building up our community through innovative strategies.

Once the public at large realizes that there will be NO MORE PAY TO PLAY POLITICS in Cuyahoga County, they will begin to invest in our community without hesitation.  Once local and global business investors are invited to a level playing field that promotes healthy business practices; they will build roots of development in Cuyahoga County.

9.) There has been much talk about "regionalization" as a mechanism to improve government efficiency-and hopefully, reduce the tax burden on the citizens of Cuyahoga County. Do you view the new government structure as a positive step toward achieving these goals?

Collaborating with local governments in order to effectively use regional resources collectively and reduce wasteful spending is a positive step. As with any business practices, our local government leadership should be able to find innovative ways to share information, share resources, and share ideas. If our actions as leaders are made with conservation, fiscal responsibility, and ethics at the top of our list, we will be able to unite to promote constructive choices on behalf of our citizens.

The people’s interests must be first.

10.) In your analysis of Issue 6-the charter amendment that ushered in the sweeping changes in county government --what did you find to be its strong points? And what, if any, weaknesses did you detect?

The strongest point of the county charter is that the people stood up to vote for it and demand change in our community.

I admire the dedication of the Transition Advisory Group which works to provide assistance to the newly elected County Executive and the County Council representatives.

I will provide a forum, with the new leadership, to address weaknesses in the charter. I will invite public participation so that necessary amendments will be made by consensus,  through democratic measures.

11.)  Do you see a need for further "tinkering" with the County Charter to improve prospects for a successful transition? If so, what changes would you hope to see incorporated?

I would like to incorporate mandates that require transparent accountability for all of our government processes. Public servants should be required to attend training that includes the fundamentals of customer service, human respect, and appreciating diversity. Our citizens deserve world class leadership that puts them first in every action that we take on their behalf!

May God bless all of our citizens who have sustained years of disempowerment and abusive government practices.

In 2011, they deserve the best our world has to offer them in LEADERSHIP and I look forward to earning their respect and votes in order to provide it.