2003 Case*
You are Chris Vanderson, president and owner of Custom Research
Services. Your firm recently constructed a new headquarters
building on a five-acre lot, and you've landscaped the unused
four acres with lighted walkways, fountains, and ponds for
employees to enjoy during their lunch hours, and before
and after work. Your lovely, campus-like site is one of
the few such locations within the city limits.
John Okura, the mayor of your city,
will soon be running for reelection. He has written to you
asking permission to hold a fund-raiser on your grounds
on Sat. July 12 from 8:00 p.m. until midnight. This event
will be for heavy contributors; up to 150 people, each paying
$500, are expected. His campaign will take care of all catering,
security, and cleanup.
You do not want to become involved
in this event for several reasons. First, you are not a
supporter of the mayor's policies. Second, if the present
mayor loses, you do not wish to risk offending the new mayor.
Third, if you allow this event, you will probably receive
many similar requests by other candidates, nonprofit organizations,
and the like. Despite their best efforts, so many people
gathered outside at night are likely to damage the lawn
and plants and create other problems.
You decide to write to the mayor and
decline his request (The Honorable John Okura, Mayor of
Hudson, City Hall, 2554 Main St., Hudson, Michigan 49236).
* This case was suggested by Deborah Valentine, Emory University,
and adapted from "Microwriting" by Scot Ober in
The Bulletin, March 1992, p. 42.
