An interview by the Ottawa Citizen with Larry O’Brien, the new Mayor of Ottawa.

NQI Reference: "Finally, I will work quickly with staff at all levels of our city to foster a “ culture of excellence” at City Hall through initiatives such as the National Quality Institute Progressive Excellence Program ( NQIPEP). Integrating NQI- PEP with existing embryonic quality- improvement efforts at City Hall will result in better and longer- term corporate planning, processes that focus on outcomes as opposed to more processes, better employee satisfaction and most importantly, a citizen- focused, citizens- first dynamic that will transcend every program and service delivered by the city."

___________________________________________________

Full interview:

Usually, a new city council has an easy first month to get up and running. However, your 2006- 2010 council has been hard at work since being sworn in on Dec. 1.

In three short but hectic weeks we have addressed the never- easy — and nor should it be — issue of politicians’ salaries and the key election issue of light rail. In addition, we have begun to discuss the 2007 city budget.

At various events around the city people continue to ask: “ How’s the new job, Larry? Were you expecting the level of media and citizen scrutiny?”

To which I always respond: “ Great and yes.” And for those who have another minute I further explain that “ this is the greatest job I have ever had. Each day is a gift and new learning experience. I want each decision council makes to be for the betterment of our great city. All Ottawans deserve the very best value from their local government at an affordable cost.”

After going through the longest job interview of my life ( read: the election), imagine my surprise to find out I was still negotiating my salary three weeks after being elected. In the end, council returned to salary levels proposed in the 2004 “ independent citizens task force” report that strikes the right balance between respect for taxpayers and an acknowledgment that local councillors had not received a pay adjustment since amalgamation.

Turning to the issue of light rail, I knowingly took big- time political heat for supporting a compromise that would have seen the city address south- end transit pressures and remove the most flawed part of the light- rail plan — the downtown section — in favour of allocating savings to already- approved east- west bus rapid transit improvements. However, our federal and provincial funding partners both expressed their reservations to this approach and I fully respect their approval procedures and requirement for necessary diligence on behalf of their taxpayers, which after all, are simply you and me.

In the end, I voted with a narrow majority of council not to proceed with north- south lightrail. However, south- end and east- west transit and transportation pressures remain and we must move quickly to address these in an integrated transportation plan. Therefore, in January, I will announce the composition of the Mayor’s Task Force on Transportation Issues. It will include members We welcome opinion articles on local matters or personal experiences of interest to other readers. Contact: Ken Gray, City Editorial Page Editor, at 613- 596- 3758. E- mail: Fax: 613- 726- 5858. Mail: City editorial page, 1101 Baxter Rd., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2C 3M4. of council, key staff, knowledgeable individuals and transit customers.

This group will be mandated to report back with options by May 31 and I will submit their work to council for debate and implementation. These “ options” must aim for travel times into the city core from Kanata, Orléans and Riverside South in the realm of 25 minutes, reduce downtown congestion and fix festering traffic problems including the Strandherd Bridge and the 417/ 174 split. As I noted during the recent campaign, it is never too late to do the right thing.

I thank both Treasury Board President John Baird federally and Premier Dalton McGuinty provincially for their support and stated funding commitments to future transit projects in Ottawa. Only by working in partnership can we collectively serve our shared constituents best.

Early next year, the city budget will take centre stage. I have already asked staff to shorten the budget process by one month and look forward to council’s approval of this process in January. However, as part of the changing culture at City Hall, I have already begun to challenge staff to change our budgeting process from one that focuses solely on inputs and line items to a more business- like approach that links inputs and line items with outputs and desired service levels to the public.

I don’t believe our budget choices are as simple as cutting services and programs or raising taxes. Other options need to be explored to help us get to zero means zero. From alternate service delivery to employee takeover groups to longterm partnering with key community organizations and agencies, this city has the intellectual creativity to restructure, reshape and renew city government to take us from good to great.

Finally, I will work quickly with staff at all levels of our city to foster a “ culture of excellence” at City Hall through initiatives such as the National Quality Institute Progressive Excellence Program ( NQIPEP). Integrating NQI- PEP with existing embryonic quality- improvement efforts at City Hall will result in better and longer- term corporate planning, processes that focus on outcomes as opposed to more processes, better employee satisfaction and most importantly, a citizen- focused, citizens- first dynamic that will transcend every program and service delivered by the city.

My long history as an entrepreneur and CEO has taught me that in large organizations change is mandatory but progress is optional. In my books, progress toward a zero tax increase is not optional. And progress toward a new culture of excellence in city government is not optional.

So there you have it, two of my New Year’s resolutions … a zero- means- zero budget and a culture of excellence at City Hall. We welcome Letters to the Editor, which must be exclusive to The Ottawa Citizen. Please include your home address, as well as telephone number, for verification. Mail: Letters to the Editor, Ottawa Citizen, 1101 Baxter Rd., Ottawa, Ont. K2C 3M4 Fax: 613- 726- 5858 E- mail: Citizen Online: www. ottawacitizen. com . Letters Editor: Kurt Johnson, 613- 596- 3785.

LARRY O’BRIEN is mayor of Ottawa.