Continuing education and training programs for municipal administrators: a case study in selected provinces††

Abstract. This paper presents the results of interviews carried out in twenty urban centres in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario on the matter of education/training programs for municipal administrators. After a brief review of literature on this topic, a composite profile of the respondents is presented. The survey results are analysed under four separate items: the need and its dimensions; awareness of and attitudes toward existing programs; anticipated attitudes of civic civil servants and politicians; and factors to be considered in designing and initiating programs for senior and middle management personnel. The study, while indicating a positive demand for programs, suggests that further field research be conducted and that a trial program be mounted to assist in evaluation. Sommaire. L'auteur de cette communication expose les résultats d'entrevues faites dans vingt centres urbains de la Colombie-Britannique, de l'Alberta, et de I'Ontario sur la question des programmes d'éducation/formation pour les administrateurs municipaux. Après une revue rapide des ouvrages sur ce sujet, il présente le profil moyen des personnes interrogées. Les réultats de l'enquête sont analysés de quatre points de we & tincts:les besoins et leur dimension; la connaissance des programmes existants et les réactions qu'ils provoquent; les attitudes antidpées des fonctionnaires et des représentants municipaux; et les facteurs A considérer pour concevoir et lancer des programmes à l'intention des cadres moyens et supérieurs. Tout en indiquant une demande positive pour des programmes, cette étude montre le besoin d'une recherche pratique plus approfondie et d'un projet-pilote qui aiderait à l'évaluation.     

Free press and fair trial: The role of behavioral research

The growth of mass media has complicated the relatioship between the courts and the media. Free press and fair trial rights are kept in balance by the use of judicial restraints and remedies such asvoir dire, change of venue, and gag orders. This balance has shifted back and forth during the past two decades. Current case law and legal codes are inconsistent and provide insufficient guidance to judges in their use of restraints and remedies. Nor is there a body of empirical research on the impact of news coverage and juror behavior capable of informing the courts at this time. In this paper, we review and critically assess the empirical social science literature as it pertains to the legal issues involving free press and fair trial. We argue that carefully conducted empirical research could provide important information to the courts. We suggest research directions and methodological caveats to increase legal relevance and scientific validity.     

Filicidal abuse in the histories of 15 condemned murderers

This paper describes the family characteristics of 15 Death Row inmates. It documents extraordinary physical and/or sexual abuse in 13 cases. It describes murderous behaviors of parents toward children in 8 cases and documents ongoing hostility and neglect throughout childhood and adulthood. The paper explores the mechanisms by which such abuse may contribute to violent behaviors. It highlights the relevance of these findings to the outcome of sentencing in capital cases.     

ANTHROPOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY IN ALASKA: RECENT POLICY RELATED TO LEGAL SYSTEMS NATIVE SUBSISTENCE AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES

The past and potential contributions of anthropology to public policy have been described andlor argued for by numerous writers in the past decade, but the primary application and concern have been at the national and international levels. The present paper continues this discussion, but focuses on state-level policy in Alaska. The work of three Alaskan anthropologists is presented; they have made significant contributions to policy in the areas of law, Native Alaskan subsistence rights and fisheries management. Their work is evaluated in the context of a five-step model for conducting policy analysis which begins with the assessment of policy-making environments and ends with an evaluation of policy alternatives. The primary policy concerns of the anthropologists discussed involved the traditional research focus of anthropology, Native Alaskans; however, the tools they employ and background they bring to their work, the specific kinds of policy issues and problems confronted, are not as traditional. One of the anthropologists discussed is atlingit Indian completing doctoral studies at Harvard University, another is a lawyer-anthropologist, and the third is highly trained in biological and economic theory as well as computer technology. It is argued that the "hyphenated" anthropologist, at least as exemplified in the cases discussed, is most readily equipped to make policy relevant contributions.