Village of DeForest appoints new board trustee – hngnews.com

Report on DeForest Village Board Trustee Appointment and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Appointment Details and Contribution to Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

On Thursday, October 30, the DeForest Village Board held a special meeting to appoint a new trustee, an action that directly supports the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. By filling the vacancy, the board ensures the continued operation of an effective, accountable, and inclusive local governing body. The appointment of Mr. Brad Cords as the seventh trustee maintains the institutional integrity necessary for sustainable community development.

• Appointee: Brad Cords
• Position: Seventh Trustee
• Governing Body: DeForest Village Board
• Significance: This action reinforces the stability and effectiveness of local institutions, a key target of SDG 16, by ensuring full representation and operational capacity for governance.

Candidate Profile and Relevance to Community Well-being (SDG 3 & SDG 11)

Mr. Cords’ professional and personal background aligns with key objectives for creating sustainable and healthy communities. His profile is relevant to both SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

1. Community Commitment: As a five-year resident of DeForest, Mr. Cords has an established connection to the community, which is fundamental for participatory governance as outlined in SDG 11.
2. Professional Experience: His role as a Regional Security Manager for UW Health since 2020 provides him with expertise directly related to public safety and health infrastructure, contributing to the goals of ensuring well-being (SDG 3) and creating safe, resilient human settlements (SDG 11).

Inclusive Governance and Community Participation (SDG 11 & SDG 16)

The selection process for the trustee position involved interviews with ten residents, highlighting the village’s commitment to inclusive and participatory decision-making. This approach is central to achieving both SDG 11, which calls for inclusive and sustainable urbanization, and SDG 16, which emphasizes responsive, inclusive, and representative decision-making at all levels.

• The consideration of multiple candidates from the community ensures that diverse experiences and perspectives are brought to the table.
• This process strengthens the democratic foundation of the Village Board, fostering trust and collaboration between citizens and their local government.
• By engaging a broad pool of applicants, the board actively promotes a culture of civic participation essential for building a sustainable and resilient community.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article, which discusses the functioning of a local governing body. The appointment of a new trustee to the DeForest Village Board is a direct example of maintaining and strengthening local institutions, which is a key aspect of SDG 16. The article focuses on the process of governance and ensuring that public institutions are effective and representative.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The article demonstrates this target in action by reporting on the DeForest Village Board filling a vacant position. This act is essential for the institution to remain effective and fully functional. By holding a special meeting to appoint a new trustee, the board ensures its continued capacity to govern the village.

2. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

   This target is addressed through the selection process described in the article. The statement that “Ten DeForest residents were interviewed for the village board’s vacancy” indicates a participatory approach to filling the position. Furthermore, the appointment of a local resident, Brad Cords, ensures that the decision-making body is representative of the community it serves.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 16.6:

   The article implies an indicator of institutional effectiveness through the successful and timely filling of a vacancy on the village board. The appointment of the “seventh trustee” shows the institution is maintaining its mandated structure and is capable of self-perpetuation to continue its work.

2. Indicators for Target 16.7:

   The article provides specific, implied indicators for participatory and representative decision-making:

   • A quantitative measure of participation: The fact that “Ten DeForest residents were interviewed” serves as an indicator of the breadth of community involvement in the selection process.
   • A qualitative measure of representation: The appointment of a community member (“Cords has been a DeForest resident for five years”) is an indicator that the board’s composition is representative of the local population.

SDG Analysis Summary Table

Source: hngnews.com