Citizen Contacting of Municipal Officials: Choosing between Appointed Administrators and Elected Leaders
Author(s)
Thomas, John Clayton; Melkers, Julia E.
Abstract
Anecdotal evidence suggests that citizens often take requests and complaints to municipal elected officials, but there is little evidence that explains why citizens might choose elected officials over appointed administrators. Do citizens prefer elected officials because of frustration with the bureaucracy, because of ignorance of where to go in the bureaucracy, or because of some other reason? The answer to this question could have significant implications both for public administrators and for elected officials. If most contacting of elected officials is prompted by frustration with how the bureaucracy has handled a complaint, public administrators might see a need to be more careful about how citizen contacts are handled.
