Character Counts. To the several hundred people that have liked this page, I am probably preaching to the choir! To the hundreds more that read this page regularly - Im still probably preaching to folks with the same good standards, but Im clearly reaching some that must have different priorities. I apologize for focusing on it so much, and dont usually mean to imply that those - on the other side of this discussion - have vastly different ethical standards. But, if the shoe fits... Here, from Ballotpedia, is a reasonable description of what the voters in Glenrock need to remember when choosing their Mayor and Council: Strong mayor form In the strong mayor form the mayor exercises a true centralized executive authority. He or she has robust powers of appointment and removal for heads of city departments and commissions, has the power to veto measures passed by the council and prepares the budget. Some municipalities permit strong mayors to appoint a city administrator to assist with day-to-day administrative responsibilities.[2][4] Advantages of a strong mayor-council form of government The structure of centralized responsibility allows strong leadership and provides sufficient power to the mayor to run the operations of the city; The structure provides a single point of accountability; and The structure offers opportunity to build professionalism through mayoral appointment of qualified personnel. Disadvantages of a strong mayor-council form of government Too much responsibility for one person; No assurance that the elected mayor has administrative talents, which can also be a detriment to managing the daily operations of a city; Exacerbate partisanship; Undermine professionalism by, depending on the individual, encouraging political patronage, and making political appointments and dismissals if partisan wishes are not followed.[4][5] Why do I react strongly when people try to control discussion and debate? Why am I not distracted by hot debate over town signs that weve already funded? Why am I not totally gaga over some random real estate company study proclaiming us as the 6th safest place in the state? Because it is DISTRACTION. Because it removes our focus on the issues we face in a difficult to assess growth phase. Because this distraction seeks to ignore all of the uncomfortable features of how our current Town Team operates. The atmosphere, the lack of strategic planning, the rampant spending on operations without accountability - even recklessness when it comes to acknowledging clear conflicts of interest - just feels plain uncomfortable and wrong. It really needs to change. I cant imagine that, deep down, everyone paying attention doesnt know that. There may be those that have seen - or want to see - unfair benefit in this fully-operational bad bargain for the taxpayers. Those people are probably the ones that are most nervous right now. Calling people out - for me - is truly uncomfortable, but someone needs to do this. The only thing that creates some comfort for me is knowing that we have an obligation to do the right thing. All of us. Uncomfortable or not. The alternative is really not an acceptable answer, even though it would be easier just to look away. I greatly appreciated your support - and majority - in the primary election. Now comes the important one on November 4th, and everyone needs to get out and vote. Every vote is critical here in our fine town. But now, back to those Glenrock signs. Somehow we forgot that good commerce in Glenrock requires that we get people OFF of I-25. I doubt that those weird trees are causing u-turns. Lets just call it strange sagebrush and get on with the work that needs done. Thanks for listening. WDF.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 15:29:21 +0000
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