Essential Qualities of a Good City Mayor

張貼日期：Dec 27, 2018 1:18:0 PM

Miranda Chen

It is just about seven days left for the election of the city mayors and county magistrates in Taiwan. There are so many advertising cars and billboards of candidates on the road, and what the cars are broadcasting are about candidates’ political ideas and what they are going to do to improve the city. Through these propaganda activities, people can easily know their standpoints and see which candidate has the essential qualities of a good mayor. Here are some qualities a good mayor should be equipped with.

First, the candidate should have a concrete plan about the future. It is really important to have a good plan of how to improve the city and make the city better. I believe that every citizen may like to have a better environment about where they live. For example, the mayor can build an exercising center for citizens to work out, a park or an activity center for old people to chat with others. The candidate should have a plan of what they can really do, but not what they can’t approach to do. And I think that Taoyuan’s city mayor, Wen-tsan Cheng really makes it. He continues the construction of the Taoyuan Aerotropolis and the development of Asia Silicon Valley which are the most important plans for the city.

Second, the candidate should have international view. It is the 21th century now, and in this era it is important that a mayor should know about the news around the world. The mayor can hold some international activities or contests that can attract foreigners to come to visit the city and can let the world see the city. I am sure that it is a good way to benefit the shops and sightseeing spots in the city, and the world can see how great the city is. The city mayor that I associate with is Taichung’s mayor Chia-lung Lin. He held the Taichung World Flora Exposition, which is really successful and popular.

Third, the candidate should be loyal, trustful and responsible. It is the most necessary quality a candidate should have. The mayors must really do what they say and are responsible to citizens. I think mayor Wen-je Ko is the best person that conforms to this quality because during his term of office, he has many achievements in his official career. For example, he released the monthly ticket of mass transportation with which citizens just need NT$ 1280 and they can take buses, MRTs for limitless times or ride ubikes with some discount. On the other hand, he decided to tear down the approach road of Zhongxiao Bridge which made Cheng-En Gate (Beimen) become a new and popular tourist attraction.

Having good and effective political ideas and executive ability are the most important qualities to a city mayor. I think that a good mayor should be positive and is eager to make progress that can make the city and Taiwan better. Another major characteristic is that he or she must be trustworthy, which means, every mayor should really do what he/she said of the future plan. I believe that the above are the essential traits a competent mayor should be equipped with.