Ward 5 residents only on this one please. Last year we discussed putting a charter on the ballot. At that time, the response was fairly strong against, with some supporters as well. Well, it is back on the agenda for our next meeting. Lets talk about your feelings. .. with full disclosure, I campaigned for office as opposed, so I may not be the best moderator. The pros are pretty clear I think. Canton could redesign its government basically anyway it wants. We could make the mayor stronger, we could make the mayor weaker. .. we could eliminate the mayor all together and have council run things itself by hiring an appointed city manager. We could eliminate ward representation and make all council citywide. We could eliminate council and replace them with trustee like positions that basically only pass budgets. The cons are pretty clear to me, at least, is that there is a fairly high likelihood that little or no representation on said charter commission would come from our side of town. The mayor, treasurer, auditor and all other elected officials are permitted on the charter commission if created, but not council members. Just looking at people who have said they would run or have been approached about running, a scenario seems ( to me and others I have discussed with. .. including some proponents) to be quite possible that most of not all of the commission members could come from the NW side of town. Let me be clear, I have no problem with any of these people. .. many of whom are my friends. I have no issue with them serving on any eventual commission. My problem had come from what I feel is the very possible scenario that 5 or 6 of the citys 9 wards could have no voice in designing a government that would impact all of us. To go on further, in an effort to be fair. .. there is no guarantee that anyone would be elected. And, voters could vote down the charter if they dont like it, as has happened the 3 other times this was attempted. I feel the SW end has much to lose and could quite possibly have little or no voice in crafting a new government. I have always viewed my job as to vote my ward, and vote my conscience. .. and while there are undoubtedly many positives that could come of charter, I feel strongly that the best interest of my ward and in good conscience I have to oppose it. Those who disagree with me are not bad people or out to get us... we simply disagree and Im fine with that. This decision will impact our city and our ward long after Im gone and my intention of only possibly seeking only one or two more terms means that it will have no impact on my future plans...my opposition, as I stated last year, is based on my concern for my ward. .. With the world record for longest post ever, now clearly in the bag. ..I will shut up and open the floor. It is OK to agree or disagree with me. .. as always. .. but on this post, ward 5 residents only please.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 02:40:21 +0000
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