Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
May 5, 2017 1:00 a.m.
A fascinating aspect of a career in local government is public visibility. With my experience in relatively small towns, I have become accustomed to being frequently recognized. Here in Fernandina Beach, I am often approached by residents expressing interest in my articles as published in local papers and web sites. I enjoying being introduced to many people that I might not otherwise have had the opportunity to meet.
Throughout my career, my family has gotten used to the idea that a “quick” trip into the store would likely take longer than anticipated because I was bound to run into somebody. While impatient with my behavior for several years, they know recognize that such familiarity is simply part of being a local government official.
Technology has created new challenges to public visibility. With smart phones, every person now has immediate access to a video and voice recorder. My behavior as a public official is now able to be scrutinized, dissected, and critiqued throughout the day, and even after hours, theoretically, my personal time.
It simply doesn’t work that way, and that is an awareness that has been honed after years in the public sector. When I go to work at City Hall, I know that I professionally represent the City, the elected officials, and the residents of Fernandina Beach. When I go to a restaurant, store, or park after work, I am fully aware that I am representing the City, as well. It simply comes with the responsibilities of my role in local government.
Sometimes, that awareness is lost by government officials.
In a recent discussion, I was informed by a concerned observer that a City official had demonstrated inappropriate behavior. The observer offered to share video evidence as proof of the behavior, but I indicated that it was not necessary to share that information with me. The observed individual was easily identifiable as a City employee because of the associated markings that openly identified the person as a City employee.
While the indiscretion could be described as unquestionably minor, the fact that someone otherwise likely unfamiliar with Fernandina Beach made a significant effort to contact me regarding the issue was more illustrative of how we truly do represent the City wherever we go and whatever we do. Embarrassing and inappropriate conduct is unacceptable.
That is, admittedly, a higher standard than perhaps many are accustomed. I expect City of Fernandina Beach employees, including myself, to set and uphold that standard. We work in well-marked uniforms, buildings, and vehicles. The elected officials and the general public should expect nothing less than professional, courteous, and respectful conduct by all City employees.
Such scrutiny and expectations can be difficult. Nearly twenty years of my career highs and lows were presented to the Fernandina Beach City Commission and community by the recruiter as part of my hiring as the City Manager. I have insisted throughout my career, and much to the surprise of my peers, that all of my evaluations be conducted in public (state statutes often permit such personnel evaluations to be conducted in a closed session).
My rationale is that I want the general public to have the opportunity to be a part of my evaluation. I enjoy that openness and transparency because I believe that it serves the community well (think for just a brief minute as to whether you would like your annual evaluation published for all to see). As I share as often as I can, I truly love what I do and accept the challenges that are associated with my position.
I still follow the news from metropolitan Detroit and southeastern Michigan where I was raised and served several communities. A former mayor of Detroit was convicted a few years on several charges related to corruption (and reportedly received the lengthiest sentence in U.S. history as a result). Other public officials throughout the country been convicted or resigned because of inappropriate (or criminal) behavior.
The Detroit News offered the following commentary (with my own editorial comments) when another Michigan state official was investigated by federal officials for corruption:
“Being an elected (appointed) official in any capacity is an honor. Those who occupy elected (appointed) office have an inescapable obligation of living up to that honor. Facing allegations of stealing public money is the ultimate breach of public trust because no call to duty is greater than public service. That is why those who serve in the public interest must submit to the highest standards of integrity and not be easily swayed by the desire or the lure of the office to engage in misuse of their role for personal gain.”
I submit to you that I and all other Fernandina Beach staff will accept and uphold that honor and trust as public officials.
A good and faithful public servant. We are fortunate to have him here.