Diane Trautman Democrat Speaks: TAYLOR: How important is good leadership during times of crisis? TRAUTMAN: I believe that we need ethical leaders today and especially in times of crisis. Ethical leaders are accountable, accessible, and authentic servant leaders. They put the needs of others before their own needs or advancement. In times of crisis, people depend on their leaders to inspire and comfort them. TAYLOR: Do you consider yourself to be a leader? If so, in what way? TRAUTMAN: I have over 30 years of administrative and leadership experience in banking and education and have always considered myself to be a servant leader. I have always felt called to public service. The leadership theories I learned about while working on my doctorate in educational leadership really spoke to me. I have worked as a bank manager, classroom teacher, principal, and currently am a professor of education at Stephen F. Austin State University. I believe in the 3 A's of ethical leadership theory: Accountability, Accessibility, and Authenticity. I teach it to my graduate students and I try to live by it as well. I also enjoy leadership development by teaching my students how to become future public school principals and one day leading their own school. TAYLOR: Other than yourself, who is the most effective leader you know alive today? TRAUTMAN: Based on my beliefs about ethical and servant leadership theory, I believe the most effective and inspiring leader today is Senator Barack Obama. He embodies the idea of servant leadership with his plans to help the middle class with jobs, health care, and education. TAYLOR: Why should Harris County-area voters choose you on Tuesday, November 4th? TRAUTMAN: If elected, I will run the Tax Office as a service organization instead of a political organization. Harris County is the third largest county in the nation and because of our size, we need a tax assessor who will give complete focus to the task ahead of us. Unfortunately on Friday afternoons, my opponent leaves his taxpayer funded job early to host a partisan radio talk show. Instead of handling the people's business, my opponent plays partisan politics on our dime. When I'm elected Tax Assessor, I will be a full time public servant and put serving the people of this county ahead of partisan politics. And I'm prepared to tackle the serious challenges this county faces. I have the administrative and leadership experience to keep a large operation up and running. I intend to address the serious challenges facing our Tax Office. Our tax collection rate has been one of the lowest among large Texas counties. This translates to lost tax dollars for our law enforcement, roads, and schools, all services that you and I and our families count on. And our voter rolls are not keeping pace with the county population growth. We can and must do better. I'm asking for your vote on Nov. 4 to help me put service and your needs before politics. | 
Send Press Releases to: 