Posted on 08/14/2006 4:30:08 PM PDT by SandRat
AUSTIN, Texas (Army News Service, Aug. 11, 2006) – When the Army’s mission in Iraq began to focus on humanitarian and reconstruction efforts, leaders at Fort Hood, Texas, looked to local city officials for insight into what it takes to run a city.
Austin officials have offered guidance in city management to 4th Infantry Division Soldiers currently in Baghdad via video teleconference. They’re also helping train Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division as they prepare for a return to the region.
Collaboration between the Army’s largest post and Texas’ capital city “is a labor of love,” said Toby Hammett Futrell, Austin’s city manager.
City officials have offered 1st Cav. Div. Soldiers 10 seminars on various aspects of running a local government. The latest took place Aug. 8 at Austin’s Palmer Events Center.
“The training is hugely beneficial,” said Maj. James Adams, executive officer, 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cav. Div. He was one of 45 division and III Corps Soldiers who attended the seminar, which focused on public administration, security in conflicted communities and information operations.
The Soldiers learned how to finance a local government through tax revenue and fee-based services. The importance of building the citizens’ trust in government was also stressed.
Implementing an open government encourages public involvement, Futrell explained, adding that citizens are more likely to support and believe in their government when they can engage in it.
“Local government is so close to the people that you have to create access to it,” added Laura Huffman, an assistant city manager.
Futrell warned Soldiers against making assumptions about residents’ top priorities. Surveys and open communication are crucial to understanding and providing the public what it expects.
While Futrell and other city officials were able to provide a framework for local government and how they operate in the United States, she was quick to acknowledge that some of these theories and procedures may not work in Iraq.
“The challenge is to try to see what will translate,” she said. “Evolution of politics in Iraq is obviously very different than where we are today.”
After the seminar, the Soldiers visited the Green Water Treatment Plant and the city’s Materials Recovery Facility Landfill for a firsthand look at how two different city municipal services operate.
“We’ve taken away concepts that we can use to help guide us and the Iraqi government,” said Capt. Evans Hanson, fire support officer, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. “I’m appreciative of them offering their expertise.”
Ok, all you Texans did the troops get a good lesson or......
Outstanding, our troops can now save the Baghdad Salamander and institute a smoking ban in Iraq.
OK, it's Austin doing the training, so there will have to be a class in sensitivity to atheism. Then another on gay/les/trans/? awareness. And another on how there are no illegals in Iraq. And then...oh never mind.
From the Austin City Council, you'll get taxpayer funded abortions, domestic partner benefits, no smoking ordinances, and nature worship.
I was curious how anti-war Austin got mixed up with Ft. Hood soldiers. Now I know. The Austinites were teaching them the principles of socialism.
Good one!!
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