It’s about people, not system we use | Letters | April 24
Published 10:00 am Friday, April 24, 2009
I feel that I may be swimming against the tide of the minority, but well-organized, proponents for changing our form of city government – some of whom I greatly respect. But rest assured, there are many of us who think differently.
Furthermore, all the experts agree that either the mayoral or managerial form of government works equally well, depending on the people we hire to do the job.
As long as we elect folks more concerned about “crowd-pleasing” and “personal ambition” than they are about what is best for our community, problems will continue – regardless the form of government.
For example, some past and present City Council members (some more forthcoming than others) have coveted the mayor’s job for a long time and have succeeded in creating disunity and endless “process.” Not that the mayor is perfect. Who among us is? But these factors, coupled with the current economic recession, have created a climate of distrust and dissatisfaction.
Also this unique community is part of the problem. The degree of partisanship, activism and unbending opinions of many of us, seem to promote distrust and unrest beyond the norm, as does the ability and willingness to sue at the slightest provocation. The resulting angst helped produce the false hope in some that changing the system will solve the problem. But, be aware of false prophets. Trust and compromise should guide our future, not change motivated by fear and anger.
I helped the community study the pros and cons of both forms of city government years ago when we decided the current system is best for this city, and quite frankly I see no valid reason to change.
The reasoning is as sound now as it was then, despite our increased population. Over 80 percent of the 289 cities in the state have chosen the mayoral form of government.
Besides, we already have a professional manager implementing policy as approved by council and directed by the mayor, and if we decide to change course what have we gained? It’s a lot easier to hold a mayor accountable every four years than it is a bunch of council people staggered over the same period.
On May 19, please vote with a light heart and keen mind, seeing through this temporary fog of frustration and anger. Let’s weather this tempest in a teapot together. The economy is beginning to turn (like the tide) and things are looking up.
Bob L. Burkholder
Madison Avenue
