LETTER: Hovland's Leadership Built on 'Ability to Listen and Find Solutions'

I am writing in support of Jim Hovland’s re-election to Mayor of the City of Edina. I am impressed with Mayor Hovland’s leadership and find him to be an honest, forward thinking, competent leader who inspires excellence.

One of the secrets to Jim’s leadership success is his ability to listen and find solutions. In his time as Mayor, Edina has created unprecedented transparency and opportunity for citizen engagement. Today, residents can watch City Council meetings live over the Internet and view recordings of Board and Commission meetings.

More residents than ever before are serving on City Boards and Commissions. Others are helping chart the future of our community by participating in efforts like interviewing the new city manager and mapping future development of the GrandView District. Jim values this engagement and uses it to forge consensus around those solutions that keep Edina ahead.

As an accounting major, I recently completed an analysis of the City of Edina’s 2011 Comprehensive Financial Annual report. I feel the report was clearly written in a way that residents can easily understand and as a result, will be proud of the City of Edina’s excellent financial position. The City of Edina has received a certificate of Achievement for Excellence in financial reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada in 2012. This award is only given to government entities who have achieved the highest standards in government accounting and financial reporting.

If you’re like me, you’re pretty pleased with our community. Nov. 6, we’ll have the chance to vote on whether to keep the leadership that has delivered this excellence or go in a new direction. I hope you’ll join me in keeping Edina ahead by re-electing Jim Hovland as Mayor of Edina.

Sincerely,

Sheila Duhn
Edina Resident

Have something of your own to say? Send us a letter by emailing ryan.gauthier@patch.com.

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