For https://writall.com Only

Application: Motivations to Serve

Please review the Week One Assignment and revise your paper to describe the role you have chosen and why you have chosen it.

Assignment:

To prepare for this assignment:

Review the article, “Rational Action and Political Activity.” Pay particular attention to the analysis of citizen participation for some ways in which citizens may serve government.
Review the media piece, Virtual Community.
Explore the buildings within the virtual community. The buildings with dots above them contain content you can view. That content will be a video or text about one of five character roles.
After reviewing all the content, select a role from the virtual community. You will use the same role for the remainder of the course.

The assignment (2 pages):

Explain the role from the virtual community and why you selected it.
Explain how the role you selected fits within the landscape of American government and public policy.
Justify your response with references to the Literature.

Week 1 Announcement

In Week One, you will be asked to select a role from the virtual community. Please note that there are ONLY three roles from which you are to choose:

– A campaign manager. Please note: you may choose one particular candidate OR you may envision the processes you would need to follow with any candidate you might manage.

– The head of a public agency. Here you will see the issues from the point of view of a government entity. Again, you do not need to identify the specific agency if you do not wish to; rather, you can discuss the tasks from a more general point of view, discussing how any agency head would have to think about the strategies and responses.

– The head of a nonprofit organization OR an interest group. Note: an interest group might be a nonprofit organization, a business or group of businesses, or a special interest group (e.g. an environmental group or a pro-gun rights group, etc.)

Again, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. It is important to choose the role carefully as you will use it in many assignments.

Prof. Martin

Please review the Week One Assignment and revise your paper to describe the role you have chosen and why you have chosen it.

Assignment:

To prepare for this assignment:

· Review the article, “Rational Action and Political Activity.” Pay particular attention to the analysis of citizen participation for some ways in which citizens may serve government.

· Review the media piece, Virtual Community.

· Explore the buildings within the virtual community. The buildings with dots above them contain content you can view. That content will be a video or text about one of five character roles.

· After reviewing all the content,
select a role from the virtual community
. You will use the same role for the remainder of the course.

The assignment (2 pages):

· Explain the role from the virtual community and why you selected it.

· Explain how the role you selected fits within the landscape of American government and public policy.

· Justify your response with references to the Literature.

Week 1 Announcement 2

In Week One, you will be asked to select a role from the virtual community. Please note that there are ONLY
three

roles from which you are to choose:

– A campaign manager. Please note: you may choose one particular candidate OR you may envision the processes you would need to follow with any candidate you might manage.

– The head of a public agency. Here you will see the issues from the point of view of a government entity. Again, you do not need to identify the specific agency if you do not wish to; rather, you can discuss the tasks from a more general point of view, discussing how any agency head would have to think about the strategies and responses.

– The head of a nonprofit organization OR an interest group. Note: an interest group might be a nonprofit organization, a business or group of businesses, or a special interest group (e.g. an environmental group or a pro-gun rights group, etc.).

Again, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask. It is important to choose the role carefully as you will use it in many assignments.

Prof. Martin

1

3

PSPA-4080 Capstone

Walden University

Date: March 04, 2018

Instructor: Dr. Rebecca Martin

Motivation to Serve

Alec Coppel intro video

The virtual community just as any other grouping in the mainstay political arena has the duty of participating in governance. In new harbor Delaware, Alec Coppel stands an excellent chance of serving the position of a mayor. The lawyer turned politician has a deeper understanding of the concern of the locals. He is open-minded and willing to engage the locals in addressing the interests of the city. The leader is responsible for communicating the agenda of the public based on the ideas expressed in the interview conducted on camera. The engagement of the politician and the public takes place via the media and such serves as the virtual community for ensuring New Harbor progress.

Character role

The information provided suggests that he communicates nobly about the intent to formulate policies that prioritize education and environmental issues. The lawyer understands that some of the audiences in the virtual community dislike his agenda. Sofia Velasquez, for instance, is uncomfortable with the leader’s attitude. She is responsible for criticizing the leader in proposing policies that affect public interest (Brunell, 2005). She serves as the mouthpiece of the residents of Delaware on the current issues in the American political landscape. Sofia Velasquez dislikes the ideological strategy of Alec Coppel.

American government

The second way of Sofia Velasquez participation in the political affairs entails proposing a solution to the economic concerns of the city contrary to the suggestion of Alec Coppel aired on the media platform. The responses of the citizens and the conversation of Alec Coppel arouse debates on matters of public interest through the expression of the same via media. The community is responsible for lobbying for the enactments of legislation that prioritize the interest of the masses. The community promotes accountability in action. Alec is aware that the criticism is warranted for the progress of the community. The engagement of the virtual community and the leadership in Delaware is necessary for the realization of the environmental, economic and political objectives in the town. The leaders in the community benefit from listening to the view of the public (Verba, Scholtzman & Brady (2000). In the case of Alec Coppel, he can accomplish numerous things through consultation with the residents of the city. He should not steer any role without engaging the community, which relies on the media in the conceptualization of his agenda as the leader of the people.

Government landscape

The media and leader’s role of sensitization of the people in New Harbor aligns with the legislative stipulation that demands government’s accountability. According to America’s legal requirement, those working in the commercial sector are capable of questioning the motive of a government in a decision, and such surmounts to advancements of democracy. The American constitution demands the inclusion of all stakeholders in decision making on matters affecting citizens. The law requires that the state consult the mayor and the public before making policies on governance. The same is necessary when budgeting for the needs of the citizens as noted in the works of Verba, Scholtzman, &Brady (2000). For that reason, in the context of New Harbor where the virtual community contributes ideas, the consultation proceeds as envisaged in the law.

Policy

Another development enshrined in the law that augurs with the responsibility of the community in New Harbor is the communication of the agenda of the local authority. The communal leadership must notify people like Sofia Velasquez about plans on security, healthcare, and education. The undertaking aligns with the democratic requirements suggested by Bowler & Donovan (2006). The process in most cases takes place via the media, and as such, the existence of the virtual community offers an excellent platform for communicating the idea. Delaware can benefit immensely from the election of a lawyer with experiences in education and economic matters. Alec can guide the community in tackling challenges of poverty and service delivery to the public in the city of New Harbor.

References

Abramson, P. R., & Aldrich, J. H. (2000). Challenges to the American two-party system: Evidence from the 1968, 1980, 1992, and 1996 presidential elections. Political Research Quarterly, 53(3), 495–522.

Bowler, S., & Donovan, T. (2006). Direct democracy and political parties in America. Party Politics, 12(5), 649–669.

Brunell, T. L. (2005). The relationship between political parties and interest groups: Explaining patterns of PAC contributions to candidates for Congress. Political Research Quarterly, 58(4), 681–688.

Verba, S., Scholtzman, K. L., & Brady, H. E. (2000). Rational action and political activity. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 12(3), 243–268.

Course Readings

After clicking on a citation below, enter your myWalden user name (

patrick.boyd@waldenu.edu

) and password 3#icldyoB1A+ at the prompt. (if necessary)

Abramson, P. R., & Aldrich, J. H. (2000). Challenges to the American two-party system: Evidence from the 1968, 1980, 1992, and 1996 presidential elections. Political Research Quarterly, 53(3), 495–522.

Alexander, J., & Richmond, S. A. (2007). Administrative discretion: Can we move beyond cider house rules? The American Review of Public Administration, 37(1), 51–64.

Barrett, A. W., & Barrington, L. W. (2005). Bias in newspaper photograph selection. Political Research Quarterly, 58(4), 609–618.

Barrett, A. W., & Barrington, L. W. (2005). Is a picture worth a thousand words? Newspaper photographs and voter evaluations of political candidates. The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, 10(4),98–113.

Bourgon, J. (2007). Responsive, responsible and respected government: Towards a new public administration theory. International Review of Administrative Sciences, 73(1), 7–26.

Bourgon, J. (2009). New directions in public administration: Serving beyond the predictable. Public Policy and Administration, 24(3), 309–330.

Bowler, S., & Donovan, T. (2006). Direct democracy and political parties in America. Party Politics, 12(5), 649–669.

Bowman, J. S., & West, J. P. (2009). State government “little hatch acts” in an era of civil service reform: The state of the nation. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 29(1), 20–40.

Brady, D., Beckfield, J., & Seeleib-Kaiser, M. (2005). Economic globalization and the welfare state in affluent democracies, 1975–2001. American Sociological Review, 70(6), 921–948.

Brunell, T. L. (2005). The relationship between political parties and interest groups: Explaining patterns of PAC contributions to candidates for Congress. Political Research Quarterly, 58(4), 681–688.

Catlaw, T. J., & Jordan, G. M. (2009). Public administration and “the lives of others”: Toward an ethics of collaboration. Administration & Society, 41(3), 290–312.

Cohen, F., Solomon, S., Maxfield, M., Pyszczynski, T., & Greenberg, J. (2004). Fatal attraction: The effects of mortality salience on evaluations of charismatic, task-oriented, and relationship-oriented leaders. Psychological Science, 15(12), 846–851.

Ferguson, A. (2008). We can’t handle the truth. The Weekly Standard, 13(43), 12–13.

Gershtenson, J. (2003). Mobilization strategies of the Democrats and Republicans, 1956–2000. Political Research Quarterly, 56(3), 293–308.

Grynaviski, J. D. (2006). A Bayesian learning model with applications to party identification. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 18(3), 323–346.

Heaney, M. T., & McClurg, S. D. (2009). Social networks and American politics: Introduction to the special issue. American Politics Research, 37(5), 727–741.

Howell-Moroney, M. E. (2008). A mixed method look at state growth management policy. American Review of Public Administration, 38(3), 339–361.

Ireni Saban, L. (2011). Looking into the eyes of those we serve: Toward complex equality in public administration ethics. The American Review of Public Administration, 41(2), 141–1 56.

Pagano, M. A., & Perry, D. (2008). Financing infrastructure in the 21st century city. Public Works Management & Policy, 13(1), 22–38.

Quill, L. (2009). Ethical conduct and public service: Loyalty intelligently bestowed. The American Review of Public Administration, 39(3), 215–224.

Raadschelders, J. C. N. (2010). Is American public administration detached from historical context? The American Review of Public Administration, 40(3), 235–260.

Rogers, E. P., & Weber, E. (2009). Thinking harder about outcomes for collaborative governance arrangements. American Review of Public Administration, 40(5), 546–567.

Roth, A. L. (2005). ”Pop quizzes” on the campaign trail: Journalists, candidates, and the limits of questioning. The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, 10(2),28–46.

Schaeffer-Grabiel, F. (2010). Sex trafficking as the “new slave trade”? Sexualities, 13(2), 153–161.

Schwart, M. A. (2010). Interactions between social movements and US political parties. Party Politics, 16(5), 587–6 07.

Silverman, M., Taylor, H. L., Jr., & Crawford, C. (2008). The role of citizen participation and action research principles in Main Street revitalization: An analysis of a local planning project. Action Research, 6(1), 69–9 3.

Stever, J. A. (2005). Adapting intergovernmental management to the new age of terrorism. Administration & Society, 37(4), 379–403.

Stone, D. (2008). Global public policy, transnational policy communities, and their networks. Policy Studies Journal, 36(1), 19–38.

Tuckness, A. (2008). John Locke and public administration. Administration & Society, 40(3), 253–270.

Verba, S., Scholtzman, K. L., & Brady, H. E. (2000). Rational action and political activity. Journal of Theoretical Politics, 12(3), 243–268.

PSPA 4080

Capstone

Virtual Community

Week 1

Welcome to New Harbor, Delaware! You’ve come at a busy time. With a campaign to elect the next mayor starting up, there is a lot going on and no issue is too small to consider.

Within New Harbor, you’ll find certain buildings marked with flashing dots. These hot spots contain introductory videos about five specific characters, as well as reactions to these individuals from various citizens around town. After viewing all five videos and reading all of the reactions, select one of the five characters that you find most interesting. You will follow this character for the duration of this course, and many of your assignments will require you to make assessments from this character’s perspective. For this first week, you’ll be asked to explain how the role you selected fits within the landscape of American government and public policy, so keep that in mind as you proceed.

Enjoy your stay!

Samuel Taylor Intro Video

Narrator: Unless you’re new to New Harbor, Delaware you’ll likely recognize the name and face of Mr. Samuel Taylor. Not only has he been a prominent businessman who employs hundreds of men and women in the New Harbor metro area, he has also served as Mayor for the last four years – continuing a family tradition of leadership in the community.

Taylor: (sit-down interview) I couldn’t be prouder to say that I’m a true New Harboran. My family came here way back in the 1870s and stuck around ever since. I certainly can’t blame them though! It’s a beautiful city that just keeps getting better.

I was born here in 1958. My dad – a trusted banker – and my mom – a caring nurse made sure I got everything that I needed here from a proper education to a strong faith. I really couldn’t have asked for a better childhood so after a few years away at college how could I resist coming back to start a family and live my life?

Narrator: At the early age of 31, Taylor founded NewHar Health Group, a health insurance company that immediately found success and grew to employ over 600 residents in New Harbor with satellite offices employing hundreds more scattered throughout the state and country beyond.

And although not involved in politics initially, Taylor learned first-hand what it takes to be mayor from his uncle, Reginald Taylor, who served as mayor of New Harbor for a record 5 terms before deciding to retire four years ago.

Taylor: I’ll never forget the day Uncle Reggie came to me and said, “Son, I’m getting to old for this and I wanted you to be the first to know (Aunt Teresa had recently passed away) that I’m not going to run for re-election this year.” And I said, “Uncle Reggie, are you sure? I know how much the city means to you!” And then he tapped his cane on the floor and said; “I know I’m sure! It’s YOUR turn to take care of New Harbor now!” It was without a doubt quite a moment for me…and very unexpected. But after giving it some thought and consideration with my wife and children, I decided that being mayor of New Harbor would be the greatest honor of my life…so I pursued it.

Narrator: With his popular uncle at his side on the campaign trail, Samuel Taylor ran for mayor and decisively won with 67% of the vote. His four years in office have been contentious though as he has fought to decrease spending in the wake of an economic downturn that has had a large effect on the city and it’s residents. Unemployment has skyrocketed to levels previously unheard of in New Harbor. This, along with increased crime and massive housing foreclosures, have led to dwindling public support for Taylor in the mayor’s office.

In a political career that at first seemed bulletproof, Samuel Taylor now appears to be in danger of losing his re-election bid as natural economic circumstances mix with unexpected political gaffs to mar his campaign.

Video camera footage of Taylor at an event talking to an aide near an open mic where he says: “Do NOT let those Peacetree people into one of these events again! They’re a damn nuisance and I don’t want to deal with ‘em!”

Narrator: Nevertheless, the campaign carries on.

Taylor: I made a promise to Uncle Reggie that I would not let harm come to this city and I’m sticking to it. I knew it wasn’t always going to be easy but I love a good challenge and I’ll be working 24/7 to tackle the issues and continue to make New Harbor the greatest and safest city in America for the next four years and beyond.

Alec Coppel Intro Video

Narrator: Tough times have hit New Harbor, Delaware and Democratic candidate for mayor; Alec Coppel says he has the solutions.

Coppel (sit-down interview): The state of the city is poor, plain and simple. For the last 24 years, New Harbor has only had two different mayors and they just happen to be from the same family. Now, I don’t want to throw the term ‘dynasty’ around too lightly but it’s really starting to look that way and I firmly believe a change is needed.

Interviewer voice off screen: And do you think you’re that change?

Coppel: Absolutely.

Narrator: Born in 1969, Alec Coppel grew up in Vermont before moving to New Harbor for law school at West Bridge University. Upon graduating and passing the bar exam Coppel decided to put down roots in New Harbor with his wife, Miriam. He quickly rose to the rank of partner at one of the city’s most prominent law firms and eventually decided to get involved in local politics.

Coppel: The process of getting into politics actually happened very naturally for me. My profession as a lawyer showed me the ins and outs of the community on everything from people to the issues of the day. Seeing all of this, I started mentally taking stock of the things that I thought were positive and the things that needed to be changed. And it was actually right when my daughter was born that I looked at the list and realized that the things that needed to be changed were far too numerous. I knew instantly that I didn’t want my daughter growing up in a city where these problems were so persistent. So it became my ultimate goal to make those improvements for her and for all the children of New Harbor. And running for City Council is where I thought I could effect the most change at that time so I ran.

Narrator: Coppel has served on the New Harbor City Council for the past twelve years putting education, aiding the poor, and environmental issues at the top of his very extensive to-do list. From initiating a ban on smoking in public places to writing ordinances that impose massive fines on companies that pollute, Alec Coppel has become a self-proclaimed warrior for public health and safety.

Coppel: Nothing is more important to me than making sure this city is the cleanest, safest, healthiest city on the eastern seaboard. Period. And my efforts to obtain that goal has been unwavering from my successful overhaul of the public school lunch program to the ongoing improvement of access to affordable healthcare.

Narrator: Alec Coppel’s crusades have not been easy though. As one of the few Democrats on the city’s largely Republican council, Coppel has faced an incredibly steep uphill battle to get many of his pet policies enacted. The last four years in particular have been contentious ones for him as multiple disagreements with Mayor Taylor have been aired in public by local bloggers.

We see a screen grab of a fictional blog, New Harborist with the headline “Coppel explodes at Mayor Taylor in Closed-Door Meeting” An audio player on the page blasts Coppel’s voice saying: “This is Bullshit (expletives bleeped)!!! Vetoing this law will be the saddest act of your cheap political career. I know you were given this position as a gift from good old Uncle Reggie but can you at least pretend to give a damn about the people here?!”

Coppel: You ask if I regret that outburst and the answer is easily no. I maybe could have been calmer about the situation, but that’s how much I care about this city. It’s a passion for me and after four years of seeing a lot of good policies get shot down to score some political points and help out some big shots, I just can’t stay calm anymore. I’ve got to fight if we want this city to stay on the right track and that’s exactly why I’m running for Mayor. And I’m determined to win – not for me or my family, but for everyone who calls New Harbor home.

Mary Davenport Intro Video

Narrator: For the past quarter century, New Harbor, Delaware has had a very routine process of electing its mayor with the Republican Taylor family successfully dominating six mayoral elections over light Democratic challenges. But this year, Mary Davenport is stepping into the ring to take on not only Mayor Taylor, but his Democratic challenger, Alec Coppel, to become New Harbor’s first female mayor as well as its first independent candidate for that office.

Davenport: (sit-down interview) A lot of people thought that this would never happen – and honestly, for a long time I was one of them – but the time is definitely right to break free of the partisan bickering that is tearing this town in two and find the middle ground that can put us on a steady and prosperous course.

Narrator: And that is exactly what she is attempting to do with a grass roots campaign that has been taking pockets of the city by storm thanks to her much touted homegrown charm and experience in community outreach.

Davenport: New Harbor is my home and it always has been. Ya know, I was born here, I went to grade school and college here, met and married my husband Paul here, I’m raising my beautiful son, Carter, here, and I make my living here! This place is my life and its given me so much that I just want to give back and make sure that every resident of this town can have the same blessed experience that I have had.

Narrator: If you think Davenport looks familiar, you wouldn’t be wrong. For the past 15 years she has been at the forefront of a citywide effort to help those less fortunate than her. By founding Feed The Harbor, a nonprofit organization charged with aiding the homeless population of New Harbor, Davenport has aided countless citizens by providing food, shelter, and job training bankrolled by corporate donations and a tireless fundraising drive.

Davenport: Helping people has been my life’s work and I think everyone who lives here knows that. What they might not know however is that my passions extend far beyond the realm of helping the needy. For instance, I care deeply about the environment! New Harbor has an amazing organization called Peacetree that is doing phenomenal work as a leader in cleaning up the city. I also believe firmly in making our schools the best that they can be and think that increasing safety in some of our more dangerous neighborhoods is a priority. On top of that I believe in fiscal responsibility, balancing the city’s budget, reigning in some of the corporate interests that have infiltrated the local government, and instilling a sense of hope that our best days really are ahead of us.

Narrator: Despite her positive attitude and vast online outreach, many people have questioned her ability to truly compete for the office now that both Mayor Taylor and Democrat Alec Coppel have begun extensive media campaigns online, in print, and on local TV and radio. And with her campaign running on very low on funds, doubt remains if the election can be swayed to someone who has previously only been elected to the school board.

Interviewer (off screen): You used to be registered as a Democrat, correct?

Davenport: Yes, that’s true.

Interviewer (off screen): Why didn’t you then pursue the Democratic nomination? And have you considered the impact your campaign could have on Alec Coppel’s chances?

Davenport: The whole point of my campaign has been to do away with this party system and to find a middle ground. So I obviously chose to avoid seeking either party’s nomination because I truly believe people are ready for someone who is not on either fringe of the spectrum. Instead, we need someone who is taking the commonsense, compromise approach to good government policies. Councilman Coppel has done a pretty good job fighting for certain issues in New Harbor, but we don’t agree on everything and quite frankly, his rigid and confrontational stance on a number of things has probably hindered progress more than promote it.

I also agree with certain policies that Mayor Taylor promotes but my goal is really to show that it doesn’t have to be one or the other. There is a third choice and it’s the choice of common sense, moderation, and compromise. And I think we’re doing a really great job of showing people exactly what that means and how we can ultimately make it a reality with their help.

Peacetree Intro Video

Narrator: Fighting to protect the environment has never been an easy job but over the years thousands of people have stepped up across the world in this very effort. Their work, and the results of that work have been varied but one of the leading lights in the movement is Peacetree, a far-reaching non-profit organization based in Washington DC with over 200 local chapters scattered throughout the globe!

One of the busiest of these local chapters is none other than the New Harbor, Delaware chapter. Under the leadership of Executive Director Susan McDonald, the team there is waging an all-out war on a series of issues that are challenging the coastal city’s environment in a big way.

McDonald (on camera interview): Peacetree’s never-ending mission is to promote sustainability, biodiversity, life and peace throughout the world and unfortunately all of those things are at risk in New Harbor. Improper management of the harbor and other aspects of city life over the past decades has led to increased pollution in the waterways, a massive reduction in recycling, and dangerous new incentives for business that only seem to promote pollution and waste. This city is on a precipice and we’re working tirelessly to reduce and ultimately reverse these dangerous practices.

Narrator: Since setting up shop in New Harbor 7 years ago, Peacetree has taken a tough stance against the policies of Mayor Samuel Taylor and his predecessor Reginald Taylor with protests and an intense lobbying effort aimed at getting the city council to pass tougher environmental protection ordinances. And although many initiatives have fallen flat in the mostly conservative city council, Peacetree has found a strong ally in Democratic Councilman Alec Coppel who is now running to replace Samuel Taylor as mayor.

McDonald: We’ve been extremely grateful and proud of the efforts from Mr. Coppel to further our cause and we’re very enthusiastic about his campaign. In general we feel like we have reached a turning point in New Harbor where the attitude of the public is shifting to a more environmentally conscious state that I find really encouraging. We even have an independent candidate…umm…. Mary Davenport, who is running on a very strong environmental platform so I’m choosing to look at it as two out of three ain’t bad!

Narrator: At this time Peacetree has not involved itself heavily in the mayoral campaign process, but the candidates are aware that an official endorsement from the organization could bring enough money and manpower to position any candidate for a swift election victory.

McDonald: Politics is obviously not our main focus at Peacetree but we have a crucial understanding that the kind of change we are seeking just isn’t possible without the right people making decisions and writing laws. So although activism and research are our main tools, we can’t afford to ignore elections, and when the time is right we’ll mobilize our forces and help ensure the victory of whoever will be best for New Harbor and ultimately the planet.

Port Authority Intro Video

Narrator: In this day and age of the war on terror almost no public agencies have faced as much increased stature and responsibility as that of Port Authorities and the one in New Harbor, Delaware is no exception. Tasked with protecting and maintaining the bustling shipping harbor port, the New Harbor International Airport, the public rail transit system, as well as all of the bridges and tunnels located inside and around the city is no small task but director Tad Scott has taken it by the horns in his last three years on the job.

Tad Scott (sit down interview): We live in scary times and that has certainly made a huge impact on my job and this agency. Ya know…managing the people and goods that come into our city by land, sea, and air is a complicated task regardless, but in the wake of the September 11th attacks all those years ago, the complexity level just quadrupled. Maybe more. Security is now my biggest priority and it’s a job that I’m proud to be at the forefront of… but it’s never easy.

Narrator: Appointed to the role of Director by Mayor Taylor three years ago after rising through the ranks of the Port Authority in a career that spans 40 years, Tad Scott has sought to overhaul the agency in a major way to combat the evolving challenges of the modern world.

Scott: I think the community should be feeling significantly safer than they were say, maybe ten years ago. The strides we’ve made in getting a better understanding of who and what is coming into the city have been enormous. I know I personally feel better and believe without any doubt that this is a safe place for my grandchildren to grown up. But we can’t let that slide. The Port Authority demands a certain level of funding to stay effective and a big part of my job is to make sure we stay at that level.

Narrator: As Mayor Taylor quietly works on his budget for the next fiscal year; many have been wondering exactly how prominent the Port Authority will sit when the mayor announces how he will distribute the city’s tax revenues for the next year. Leaked reports have claimed that Tad Scott’s budget request has far exceeded how much Mayor Taylor is willing to appropriate despite his long-standing commitment to security. Some suspect that recent complaints of racial and ethnic profiling by port authority officers has led to Taylor’s reluctance to increase their funding for a fifth straight year but citizens won’t know for sure until he makes budget decisions public sometime in the coming weeks.

Scott: I’ve made my case to the mayor and I think he understands how important this agency is to the city. A budget cut right now would be disastrous for the agency and the community. There would be layoffs, which would not only increase this city’s growing unemployment numbers but also weaken our resolve to complete our mission, and that’s not something I’m comfortable with. So I anxiously await his decision and pray that he holds strong. You know it can be very tempting for a politician to bend to the will of what sounds good in an election year but this…this is more important than politics.

Reaction Points around town

“If I had a dollar for every time Alec Coppel came in here after one of his city council meetings and got absolutely smashed, I’d be a richer woman, I’ll tell ya that! Well, I guess I couldn’t say “rich” but it would definitely make up for his awful tips and bad attitude. I’m always sure to keep a bottle of his favorite stashed away if we start running low. God help me if he shows up and we’re all out. That temper of his is fierce!”

– Sofia Velasquez – Bartender at The Rusty Seagull, 27, Latino, independent

“We gotta lotta complainers here in New Harbor. I’m tellin’ ya – no one will ever be satisfied. I got customers coming in here every day talkin’ about the economy, and the jobs, and the corruption, and the this, and the that and I’m sick of it! I personally think Taylor’s doin’ a great job as mayor and I don’t want nobody else takin’ over! I’m a small business owner and he’s done right by me just like his uncle did right by me before him. So, uh, when people come in here running their mouths – I tell them to get educated and then maybe run for office themselves if they think they can do better! …But then I might give ‘em some extra fries to make sure they come back to my shop.”

– Vince Sturges – Owner of the East Harbor Deli, 56, White, Republican

“I don’t have a home. I don’t have a car. Heck, I don’t even have a driver’s license anymore so its obviously been awhile since I voted. I’ve been homeless for too long to even think about it and I don’t really care who wins or loses because odds are I’ll still be homeless… but a friend at the shelter here told me that the Davenport woman was running and she’d be all right. I wish I could count how many times she or her people have helped me out with some food and a warm bed. Not sure if she could fix me permanently but I guess it’s worth a shot.”

– Kim Turner – Unemployed, 41, White, Non-voter

“I’ve been living in New Harbor for my entire life and over the years have watched many, many aspects of it degrade and become, quite frankly, unappealing. I think this is especially true with the waterfront which has become so polluted and revolting that I forbid my family from going anywhere near it. I had high hopes when Peacetree came to town with the goal of cleaning it up but I’m disappointed by the lack of progress so far. I know a lot of it is out of their hands so I’ll keep contributing and press my friends to do the same but we have got to get Taylor out of City Hall. That is essential. And hopefully with different blood in there we can properly make our city and waterfront beautiful again.”

– Vernon Wright – Doctor, 45, African American, Democrat

“Public education should be the number one priority of any community but it shouldn’t shock anyone to hear that it isn’t the number one priority of THIS community. Year after year we’ve seen more money from our budget siphoned into the Port Authority budget and the impact has been a disaster. Our fantastic teachers have not had raises in three years causing many to resign or take work in other school districts. If this trend isn’t reversed with the next budget period our children will continue to suffer in the name of false security. How anyone can find this acceptable is beyond me.”

– Jennifer List – Superintendent of New Harbor Public Schools, 52, Asian, Democrat

Week 1 Learning Resources

Please read and view (where applicable) the following Learning Resources before you complete this week’s assignments.

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Required Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Readings

Article:

Abramson, P. R., & Aldrich, J. H. (2000). Challenges to the American two-party system: Evidence from the 1968, 1980, 1992, and 1996 presidential elections. Political Research Quarterly, 53(3), 495–522.