The Real Question for Metro Auditor Candidates

The real question we should ask when choosing which Metro Auditor candidate to vote for is, not just who will check the books to see that no money went missing, but who is committed to that other form of auditing: performance auditing. (See here and here.)

Without performance audits, the Metro Auditor would only be doing half their job.

Which candidate has a history of overseeing performance audits?

Which candidate has a track record of collaboration with the other managers to improve business practices across an organization?

We don't need a "gotcha" auditor at Metro. We need a partner who will work with people at all levels to improve outcomes. That's a much tougher job.

Traffic Simulator

Fascinating traffic

Minnis in Trouble?

Great - now I'm hearing that Karen Minnis, already under attack from the left, may also have irritated the Libertarians enough that they too will "target" her. Shades of Mary Gallegos?

I hope Karen's people will mend bridges with the Libs.

Mannix Smears Saxton

What a week for Republicans. Just as the Democrat establishment closes ranks around Kulongoski, the Republicans begin the dirtiest primary in memory. Particularly awful is the "independent" (Mannix-supporting) radio ad by Greg Clapper that dishonestly portrays Saxton as some sort of crony of Neil Goldschmidt. (In reality, the two men despise each other.)

Clapper is a past master at selecting a few semi-truths and heaping on innuendo. The lesson I take away from this is, next time, Saxton should hire Clapper just to keep him off the air.

There are some Indian Casino TV ads that are apparently pretty misleading too, but I haven't seen them. Yet. This may be a good political season for turning off the TV and the radio.

Sadly, this will probably hurt Republicans - a lot - in November. So whoever "wins" the current mudfest will have to spend a whole lot of time digging back out.

Are Republicans really determined to be a perpetual minority party in Oregon?

Marshall Goldsmith Library

Big thanks to my friend Howard Wasserteil for pointing me to the Marshall Goldsmith Library on the web. These articles are worth reading if you care about executive coaching and leadership.

Maslow and Motivating your Knowledge Workers

Read this for a good background on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and an exploration of how you can use it to understand and motivate your Knowledge Worker workforce.

I found it persuasive, though I believe he overstates the extent to which current Knowledge Workers can be assumed to have their lower level needs met. Certainly he's right that people worrying about their health or physical safety cannot be expected to perform at their best, especially in Knowledge Worker roles.

Why the Left Wants Your Children

I've wondered sometimes at the insatiable appetite of the Left for projects that destroy the institution of the family.

Wonder no more - in the context of addressing very specific facts, this article from The Telegraph gives the back story on how and why the Left is wrong and destructive, and specifically why it wants to take your kids away from you.

Skepticism on Global Warming

Here's a good reason to read the Telegraph - a well written and persuasive article challenging the global warming fearmongers. If you're a true believer in Global Warming, let this article be your road map - refute these facts and their implications. If you cannot, you'd better fall back on fear-mongering and intimidation.

Dashboard Spy

Not a bad little roundup of various Dashboards on the web.

Another Atkinson Sighting

I was in Corvallis earlier tonight to pitch the Republican Meetups as a way to help get Republicans elected in Oregon, and got to catch most of Jason Atkinson's speech to the Benton County Republican Central Committee.

Atkinson was exceptionally good. His time on the stump has polished him. He related many of the same anecdotes I've heard before, but they seemed fresh. His energy was good, slightly subdued and statesmanlike. His trademark good humor was in evidence. And he didn't shy away from any hard questions, including of course one on immigration.

The ORGOP is lucky to be able to field candidates of this caliber. With some professional coaching, I think he'd be even better.

Catch all three GOP candidates at the City Club of Portland on 5/14/06 - just $5 general admission.