Letter to the Editor: Criteria for Elected Leaders

In her Oct. 22 letter, Kathryn Papp makes a plea for more experienced City Council members or just more of them.

She argues that none of the Council candidates are experts who could challenge staff, developers, bankers or citizens on issues related to the large number of construction projects in our City’s future. In doing so, she confuses the role of expert with that of elected representative.

James Madison and Alexander Hamilton believed that the best leaders were those who “possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society.” [Federalist No. 57]

Wisdom and virtue, they say, not specific expertise in the issue of the day, are desirable.

But let's assume for a moment that we did select technical experts on construction and development to serve on Council. What happens when they are faced with issues not within their expertise, say substance abuse treatment or environmental management?

Does their expertise in building infrastructure help them discern and pursue the common good in the myriad issues facing Alexandria over the next few years?

As we approach Election Day, our criteria for elected leaders should include:

• Do they have the wisdom to listen to the experts from all sides of an issue, ask questions, and demand answers that all of us can understand, not just the experts?
• Do they have the virtue to look beyond their own personal positions, beliefs, and experiences, and pursue a path that best serves all of the people, not just the ones who support them?
• As to the idea of expanding Council to increase the expertise on the issues facing us, quality, not quantity should drive our quest for representation. More is not always better, sometimes it's just more of the same.

Regards,
Josh Sawislak