By Sandra Beach Lin, Leadership Dallas Class of 2013
The Leadership Dallas Class of 2013’s Government, Media & Politics (GMP) Day on December 7th proved to be full of interesting, enlightening and useful discussions at Dallas City Hall.
The day began with a session with Leadership professor Pete DeLisle, who briefed us on a leadership model that demonstrated a continuum from self-interest to self-sacrifice. This led to a discussion on distributive vs. integrative leadership and how this can be seen in the spectrum of political leaders.
Dr. Ronald Hy, Associate Provost for Academic Excellence at the University of North Texas at Dallas then provided the class with a “Civics 101” presentation. He described the Mayor-City Council-City Manager form of government used in Dallas. He also enlightened us on the revenue sources for the city and the “hidden governments” throughout the region, including school districts, water districts and airports.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins provided a lively talk on Dallas County, and how it partners with the city of Dallas on key areas like transportation, roads, trails and traffic control. He reminded the class that Dallas County has wide responsibility for public health, including Parkland Hospital. Judge Jenkins gave the class a great view on the decision-making process for the West Nile virus mosquito spraying that took place this past summer. He encouraged all LD class members to “till the soil for the next generation of leaders”.
Mary Suhm, Dallas City Manager (and LD alum) then provided a fascinating tour of what’s new and underway in Dallas. She informed the class about the business model of government in Dallas, where she, as the City Manager (“CEO”) implements the policy decisions of the Mayor and City Council. Her excitement about where the city is headed was clear as she talked about the Dallas Arts District, the Perot Museum, Klyde Warren Park, Trinity River Corridor Project and the Trinity Forest Golf Course, to name a few.
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