ASPA Conference Draws Top Public Servants and Scholars
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION VOL. 27 NO. 4 APRIL 2004 INSIDE: PA TIMES SPECIAL SECTION CRITICAL ISSUES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE 3-4 27 Years • 1977-2004 A Powerful Voice for Public Service . Courts Have Become Social and PA TIMES Community Problem Solvers 3 The creation of a vast number of problem solving courts such as community courts, drug treatment ASPA Conference Draws Top courts and domestic violence courts, as well as community-based dispute resolution programs provide evidence that dramatic changes are taking place in the delivery of justice in the United States. Public Servants and Scholars Answers Are in the Nation’s Founding Documents 4 Sean O’Keefe and Former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala Join Indiana The Administration of Justice involves the founding or determina- tion of rights according to rules of University President Adam Herbert as Plenary Speakers in Portland, OR law or equity. It means conformance with what is morally upright or good. When public administrators Christine McCrehin consider the administration of justice, three documents provide the foundation for all research and later Picture this: A beautiful pacific decision-making. Those documents northwestern city and a hotel on the banks are: the Declaration of of the spectacular Columbia River. Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Now, imagine this: More than 1,100 public service practitioners, scholars and Letters to the Editor 5 students mingling with the likes of NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, Former Commentary 7 HHS Secretary and current University of International Commentary 9 Miami President Donna Shalala, Indiana University President Adam Herbert, Frederickson Perspective 11 Former Oregon Governors Barbara Ethics Moment 12 Roberts and Victor G. Atiyeh and several other prominent members of university CAP Corner 12 faculties/administrations and all levels of Where Things Stand 13 government service. This was the scene at ASPA’s 65th national conference in Portland, OR, ASPA TIMES March 27-30. President’s Column 16 The conference began Sunday morning with the Opening Plenary and Elliot From the Richardson Lecture given by Donna Executive Director 17 Photo by Alan Weiner Shalala. Speaking on the lecture theme ASPA in Brief 18 NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe participated in a frank discussion with ASPA conference attendees about “Ethics and Integrity in the Public what he faces daily as a professional public administrator. Members on the Move 18 See ASPA CONFERENCE, pg. 15 Chapter/Section News 20 2004 Editorial Calendar 25 Recruiter 26 Nation a Mix of Emotions Coaching Program Calendar of Events 28 Launched by City on Homeland Security Managers Citizens Ready, Willing and Able, but Uninformed About How Frank Benest, Don Maruska to Assist Homeland Security Efforts Remember the important people who have helped you in your career? Recall the Washington, DC–While a majority of Research and sponsored by Accenture mentors and advisors who showed you the Americans describe themselves as (NYSE: ACN). The report is based on a ropes and guided you through difficult “concerned” regarding homeland security national survey of more than 1,600 times? Now, more than ever, the local and believe that the United States is likely American citizens as well as a national government management profession needs to be the target of another terrorist attack sample of 250 frontline emergency leaders to provide this critical coaching and in the months ahead, very few are aware response personnel. mentoring to the next generation. of state and local security preparedness Citizen Respondents plans, according to a report released today Sponsored by Cal-ICMA (the California affili- When asked for ways that government can by the nonpartisan Council for Excellence ate of the International City/County improve homeland security, more than Advancing excellence in Government. Management Association), the new Coaching in public service . one-third of citizen respondents said they Program offers great opportunities for new The report, “From the Home Front to the believe that the two most-effective aspiring local government managers to access For more information on how to be Front Lines: America Speaks Out about measures are creating information systems published in PA TIMES, please contact seasoned professionals. It also gives experi- Christine Jewett McCrehin at Homeland Security,” presents findings of a that can share data across law enforce- 202-585-4313, or [email protected]. two-part study conducted by Hart-Teeter See HOMELAND SECURITY, pg. 2 See COACHING PROGRAM, pg. 8 PAGE 2 APRIL 2004 PA TIMES Citizens Need More and Better Briefing on Local Emergency Plans From HOMELAND SECURITY, pg. 1 that the Patriot Act is good for America. American’s attitudes, the report also respectively. But first responders show Thirty-three percent believe it is bad for provides detailed opinions from a sample considerably more concern about attacks America. Eleven percent of Americans are of front- line emergency responders across on critical infrastructure than does the ment, health and emergency agencies and unsure. Half the public believe that it must the nation, including fire chiefs, police public, with nearly two-thirds (62 percent) improving border security. be debated thoroughly in Congress before chiefs and sheriffs. Although a majority of first responders saying that they worry Nearly half (47 percent) of Americans any decisions are made about whether it (53 percent) of this group said they believe “a great deal” or “quite a lot” about attacks surveyed said that the United States is should be renewed next year; that the country is safer today than it was on infrastructure. two and a half years ago, two-thirds (65 safer today than it was on September 11, · A majority (59 percent) of the public said When asked to prioritize measures to percent) of all of these respondents said 2001, up from 38 percent one year after they believe the government should have promote homeland security, first responders they believe that their agencies are only the attacks. access to companies’ personal information rated emergency response equipment somewhat prepared to respond if disaster training first among their priorities, selected about their customers if there is any Other key findings of the report: by 51 percent, followed by the two areas chance that it will help prevent terrorism. strikes and only one-quarter (26 percent) · Three-quarters (77 percent) of adults said they believe that their agencies are selected as most important by citizen said they believe it is very or somewhat “When it comes to our nation’s safety and adequately prepared. respondents: interoperability, selected by 34 security, the American public has very percent of first responders; and tighter likely the United States will be the target As with citizen respondents, first respon- of another major terrorist attack in the clear and thoughtful suggestions for borders, selected by 25 percent of first ders’ most-feared types of attacks are responders. Two-thirds (66 percent) said next few months. However, half (49 government leaders and they see both an bioterrorism and chemical weapons, percent) of the adults surveyed said that important role and serious responsibilities they support the establishment of a nation- selected by 67 percent and 42 percent, wide homeland security telephone hotline. they are not concerned about an attack in for themselves as well,” said Patricia their neighborhoods; McGinnis, president and CEO of the Council for Excellence in Government. · While 26 percent of Americans describe “The results of this poll make clear that themselves as “calm,” nearly three- the American public has a frontline quarters (73 percent) describe themselves position in protecting the home front. But as either “anxious” or “concerned;” it also shows that government must better Looking for a public service · The most- feared types of attacks are engage them, particularly by closing the bioterrorism and chemical weapons, communications gap between government job anywhere in the U.S.? selected by 48 percent and 37 percent of and citizens. Local emergency plans are citizen respondents, respectively; not going to be effective if ordinary · Only one in five (19 percent) Americans citizens do not know where to turn or what said they are aware of, or familiar with, to do. One key challenge for government their communities’ preparedness plans; 18 at all levels is to get these plans into the percent said they are aware of, or familiar hands–and the heads–of the public.” with, their state’s preparedness plans; 36 “The good news is that governments are percent said they are aware of, or familiar already working hard to improve in the with, their workplace’s preparedness plans; two key areas that Americans identified as and 27 percent said they are aware priorities for shoring up our homeland of, or familiar with, their schools’ security,” said Stanley J. Gutkowski, preparedness plans; managing director of Accenture’s USA · Citizens view information systems that Government practice. share data across agencies (interoperabil- “Federal, state and local governments have ity) and tighter border security as the best recognized the need to do a better job of steps to strengthen the homeland, each sharing information in order to be able to selected by 37 percent of respondents. identify potential threats to our society. At · More than three in five citizens (62 the same time, the Department of percent) said