County executive candidates are often judged on their politics and promises, and voters rarely know much about their management style - until they take office. That was certainly the case with John R. Leopold, a longtime state legislator who had little opportunity before his election to demonstrate to voters how he would conduct the public's business.
Having now observed him in office for 18 months, we are seeing a unique approach to managing the county. How you judge that style depends largely on your perspective.
Voters who look at Mr. Leopold see a media campaign carefully orchestrated to show him as a man who shares their opinions and concerns. This is good politics. Those who have business before the county see another version - a county executive who isn't inclusive, can be hard to get a meeting with, and is unusually self-absorbed.
So, which image is correct? Perhaps both.
Mr. Leopold has cleverly crafted a dual persona that has served him well in the political theater, but not so well with those who come before him. He calculates which groups he can't afford to offend - teachers union officials, for instance, have more access to him than the school superintendent.
Long ago Mr. Leopold concluded that selling himself to voters - those who will assure his continuation in public office - takes priority over satisfying special-interest groups, even those with important and legitimate needs.
We can't fault Mr. Leopold for being a savvy politician who eschews large campaign contributors. Even if some of his actions are thinly veiled publicity stunts, he reflects the thinking of the average voter.
Rather, our concern is the extent to which he has elbowed aside people and groups - the school superintendent, businessmen, the chamber of commerce - that he has shut out of the decision-making process. Many of these groups live in fear that anything they say or do will influence how they are treated by his office. This is simply not a healthy environment for government.
We give Mr. Leopold high marks for carrying out his campaign commitment to fiscal restraint, but would respectfully ask him to bring more of the community's stakeholders into his circle.
Dealing with these groups can be time-consuming and frustrating - but they deserve a place at his table. Delegating high-level meetings to his staff people - however talented they may be - and insulating himself prevents him from engaging in the open, constructive conversations that lead to good, broadly supported decisions.
We endorsed Mr. Leopold in the general election and remain supportive of his administration. We're not the only ones - if a vote were taken today, he would easily win re-election. But, as we have found in others before him, even the best elected officials have their weaknesses along with their strengths. And avoiding collaboration is not a strength.
