CLP 2009: Day 14, Friday June 12

College Leaders Program Class of 2009
Day 14—Friday, June 12, 2009
Reported by:  Sarah Bowers, University of Richmond

    The day began bright and early with flip flops, coffee pots, and speakers.  Our first speaker was Tim Longo, the chief of police of Charlottesville, who spoke to us about his experiences in the police force from serving as an on-duty officer to conducting internal affairs—investigating police officers and their personal ethics—to ultimately serving as the chief of police.  Chief Longo elaborated on the difficulty of implementing community policing, a type of policing based on forming relationships of mutual respect and trust between the community and its citizens in hopes of alleviating long term community problems.  Our next speaker was Amy Gardner, a reporter for the Washington Post.  Ms. Gardner spoke on her coverage of the 2009 gubernatorial race as a bipartisan reporter and the ethics necessary for accurate coverage.  While Ms. Gardner was able to give us the perspective of a reporter for a large paper, our next speaker—Chelyen Davis—provided insight into reporting for a smaller paper, the Fredericksburg Free Lance Star.  Ms. Davis shared her opinion on the changing media with the influence of blogs and twenty-four hour internet updates, the fading of print newspapers, and the role of the media as watchdog.
     After a delicious lunch of chicken strips, salad and wraps, we headed back into the classroom for our first session of the Thoughtful Citizen with Professor Steve Brigaw.  After brief introductions, we wasted no time delving into the subject matter beginning with defining the most prevalent statewide problems.  We then attempted to clarify the definition of a public problem—as opposed to a local issue—and the services that government is able to allot to these problems as “public good.”  After discussion we found that the term “good” could be interpreted philosophically—as in justice and the right to life, equality, and fairness—and economically as in a product or service.  Our discussion turned from defining public good to the necessary steps to transform public good into public policy.  After a break for water and lemonade, we resumed class examining citizenship as determined by Aristotle, Tocqueville, and Madison.  As we left class, we were all excited to delve into our weekend plans and to re-engage with Professor Brigaw on Monday.

—Sarah Bowers, University of Richmond