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Letter: Keep current form of city government

September 28, 2008

Dear Editor,

The Chamber of Commerce forum last week provided voters a chance to hear first-hand some of the reasons one group thinks we should throw out our current city manager-commission form of government and substitute it with the mayor-council, or strong mayor form.

I don't believe that case was made.

There was an attempt to compare the county and city governments by making one think they are just so similar that you could easily substitute the role of county judge-executive with the role of the mayor in the strong mayor form. That is not comparing apples to apples.

There are substantial differences under state constitution and statutes that stipulate how each operates. The county judge shares executive power among all elected county officials, unlike the mayor in the strong mayor form that does not share executive power with the commissioners.

Those who call for change have failed to mention that county magistrates vote in decisions such as hiring and firing. In the strong mayor form, the mayor does all firing.

The mayor also does all the hiring, although the commission must approve a few positions.

An administrator isn't guaranteed in a strong mayor form. A mayor doesn't have to hire an administrator even if the commission funds the position in the budget. If he chooses to hire an administrator that person reports only to the mayor.

In the present city manager form, a city manager is required by law and also reports to the mayor and all commissioners.

If you truly believe there should be a change, simply vote for a different mix of city officials. You have that chance with the commission every two years. To change a mayor, you have to wait four years.

So I encourage you to keep our city manager form of government to administer what our elected officials decide is the best course to steer in governing our city, by voting "No" to the mayor-council (strong mayor) form of government.

John Albright

Danville

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