A Proven Record

*Only Board Member to Vote to Save Jobs*

In August 2008, the convention center board voted to install an automated garage payment system in the convention center’s parking garage.  The system would lead to two full-time and three part-time garage workers being displaced.  At that board meeting, Mike was the only board member to question management on what would happen to these displaced workers.  Unsatisfied with management's response and unwilling to support a motion that would lay off workers, he was the only board member to vote to preserve those jobs.

*Only Board Member to Vote to Increase Public Access to Board Meetings*

In May 2008, Mike proposed moving board meetings from noon to evenings.  He wanted to give members of the working public a greater opportunity to attend board meetings and interact with board members.

When the board voted on the motion, Mike was the only board member to support increased public access to board meetings by changing the meeting time.

*Enhanced Public Participation at the Convention Center*

Mike was the chief sponsor and author of legislation establishing a public application process to fill vacancies on the board.

Previously, vacancies were filled by appointment of the board's chairman with the consent of the board.  The public was not involved in that archaic procedure.  In August 2008, the board unanimously adopted--and, in January 2010, strengthened--Mike's legislation where citizens could apply for a vacancy.  Now, the chairman now must pick a nominee from the applicant pool but, upon submission of the nominee's name to the SMEAA board, a list of all applicants and the rationale for the particular selection must be provided to the other trustees.

Since it's adoption, the process has been used to fill three trustee vacancies.  Mike's process makes the convention center board more transparent while increasing public involvement.

*Working Harder for You*

Since his first meeting in May 2007, Mike has attended more than 95% of board meetings. He is fulling his 2007 promise that he would make attendance a priority, especially considering the poor attendance records of previous SMEAA board members. No other current District 1 board member has attended a higher percentage of meetings.