| Author |
 Topic  |
|
justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
 Posted - 05/26/2009 : 8:29:40 PM
|
I haven't seen anyone collecting signatures but we know several people have pulled papers for the Charter Review Commission. So let's tell them what we'd like to see in our City Charter. What I'd like to see is:
4 year term for the mayor
No Common Council
Maximum of 11 Alderman
No city employees holding office
No elected official holding a paid position in the city for 12 months after leaving office
Medical insurance available to Alderman at the same cost as other city employees - no more freebies
Years in office accrue for retirement in the same manner as they do for any part time employee
Attending the first meeting in a new year as an outgoing official DOES NOT count as a full year toward retirement
That's it for me at the moment. What do you want to see?
|
|
|
Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 9:34:12 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by justme
I haven't seen anyone collecting signatures but we know several people have pulled papers for the Charter Review Commission. So let's tell them what we'd like to see in our City Charter. What I'd like to see is:
4 year term for the mayor
No Common Council
Maximum of 11 Alderman
No city employees holding office
No elected official holding a paid position in the city for 12 months after leaving office
Medical insurance available to Alderman at the same cost as other city employees - no more freebies
Years in office accrue for retirement in the same manner as they do for any part time employee
Attending the first meeting in a new year as an outgoing official DOES NOT count as a full year toward retirement
That's it for me at the moment. What do you want to see?
I'd love to see no common council, but I just cant see it happening.
No city employee (no exceptions) on the council. That should be priority with charter review.
We have MGL stating that an elected official cant take a paid position for 6 months (Joe Hickey) and that went completely ignored. I think charter review needs to look at that very closely, and that's why I have a major problem with Joe Hickey running for charter review. I appreciate the work he did on it, but he is appointed and paid by the mayor. It's wrong, and here we go again.
Everyone should pay for health insurance. I cant believe it's offered to the city council for free. That could be a major savings. You get a pay check *and* free health insurance. The majority on there don't even break a sweat.
Right now, I could never support a 4 year term for mayor.
I'd like see "term positions" a little shorter, or stay within the time frame that a mayor is in office. There are people appointed to 2013. That means if the mayor does not get re-elected in November, the new incoming mayor can not choose who they want to appoint.
I'm sure I can think of much more when I really think about it...... |
 |
|
|
justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 05/26/2009 : 10:15:53 PM
|
I know the four year mayor thing is a bit sticky.............. I shudder to think of where we'd be if hanlon had been in office that long...... but with the current two year term, I think too much of their time is spent running for re-election instead of running the city.
I never gave the appointed positions a thought. You've got a good point and the terms should probably be adjusted somewhat but isn't it impractical to have all the terms end with the mayors term? |
|
|
|
Fran
Senior Member
250 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 08:08:00 AM
|
| I too would like to see the Mayors term at 4 years. Also a unicameral body of government of 9 - 11 Alderman. 6 voted by the ward only and the balance city wide. Those elected city wide should get a higher salary too. |
|
|
|
justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 08:21:48 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Fran
I too would like to see the Mayors term at 4 years. Also a unicameral body of government of 9 - 11 Alderman. 6 voted by the ward only and the balance city wide. Those elected city wide should get a higher salary too.
If they're doing the same job, why more money? |
|
|
|
cozulady
Senior Member
165 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 09:35:58 AM
|
I think you are wrong in stating that the council gets "free" health insurance. You might want to check with the personnel dept. to verify that they pay the same rate as all employees.
Also, while you list of things for the charter review is interesting, some of those are regulated at the state level. When information was given about the review, I seem to recall that there was something about choices of form of govt. being set by the state and members would have about 3 to choose from.
I hope that voters got out in Nov. to vote on the review commission and that people who are willing and able to put in the time and research get elected. I think there is more to it than most people realize and we are going to need dedicated, well-meaning people working on this important issues. Of course, if the voters don't vote for the review, it is a moot point. |
|
|
|
Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 2:37:10 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by cozulady
I think you are wrong in stating that the council gets "free" health insurance. You might want to check with the personnel dept. to verify that they pay the same rate as all employees.
Also, while you list of things for the charter review is interesting, some of those are regulated at the state level. When information was given about the review, I seem to recall that there was something about choices of form of govt. being set by the state and members would have about 3 to choose from.
I hope that voters got out in Nov. to vote on the review commission and that people who are willing and able to put in the time and research get elected. I think there is more to it than most people realize and we are going to need dedicated, well-meaning people working on this important issues. Of course, if the voters don't vote for the review, it is a moot point.
Your right about the "free" care, it’s actually 15% (which to me) is free care.
The only way this is going to work is if the right people get voted in. Not ones there with an agenda.
|
|
|
|
just wondering
Senior Member
387 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 3:53:21 PM
|
| Is there an opportunity via charter review to get city hall more involved in the school system? |
|
|
|
justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 6:21:23 PM
|
For heavens sake, all I'm trying to do here is get a wish list going!
I'm sure there are limitations that the Charter Review Commission will have to deal with but they also need to know what the people want.
So, what changes do you want to see?
Tails, is 15% what all city employees are paying for their health insurance? |
Edited by - justme on 05/27/2009 6:21:56 PM |
|
|
|
Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 7:38:06 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by justme
Tails, is 15% what all city employees are paying for their health insurance?
Absolutely, it's all negotiated in the contracts and it's non-union workers too. I think they tried to change it this year, but didn't work out. |
|
|
|
massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 7:38:18 PM
|
I would like to see term limits on all elected officials.
I don't know if I would want a four year term for mayor but I think I could split the difference with a 3 year term.
"Deb" |
Edited by - massdee on 05/27/2009 8:04:04 PM |
|
|
|
Cruller DaVille
Senior Member
148 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 8:12:01 PM
|
I'm not so sure I'd be for term limits.
Holding on to educated, logical elected officials would be my idea of heaven. Charter Review, done properly is a tedious, time consuming task. It's not as simple as chosing a unicameral form of government, etc.
Each and every facet of city government should be reviewed. That's quite an extensive endeavor. There are issues of auditing, accounting, fund transferral, task description of administrators, etc. Many,many,many independent, thought provolking, important issues.
I do agree that the time is way behind us (60's and 70's)when we had selfless, educated, hard working individuals representing us. I'm not saying "all" but, on balance, we've had a less than steller crop the past decade. Good government has thoughtful, provolking, and determined debate. What we're witnessing presently is a version of the 50's television show "Howdy Doodie". A bunch of egotistical individuals who lately have carved deals for themselves and sold their soul to EOB. Previous to that, we had these same individuals get their dander up and rebel, without logic or reason, because they were told they were expected to be adults. Neither version works for US .
My ideal candidate would run because he/she had something they wanted to actually "do" for the city instead of receiving insurance or beefing up their pensions with a couple year appointment. Gone are the days (the 60's and early 70's) when the individuals serving city government were dedicated professionals who actually researched topics and utilized principles of parliamentary procedure.
My true desire is to see whomever gets elected sincerely and deliberately buckle down and DO the work needed to be done.
Properly
"Cruller DaHville"
 |
|
|
|
Cruller DaVille
Senior Member
148 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 8:27:54 PM
|
MD:
Couldn't agree with you more..... three year terms ARE the way to go...............
"Cruller DaHville"
|
Edited by - Cruller DaVille on 05/27/2009 8:31:33 PM |
|
|
|
massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 8:29:45 PM
|
I don't disagree with your logic but I like the idea of term limits so they can spend more time doing the work for the people instead of always campaigning. I would even go for a four year term for mayor if they could only run for one term. It will take the politics out of the position.
I wonder if the people who pulled papers for the Charter Review realize just how much time and effort MUST go into this process? I hope so!
"Deb" |
Edited by - massdee on 05/27/2009 8:52:25 PM |
|
|
|
justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 8:55:44 PM
|
I'm sure some of them think they know what they're getting into but I'm thinking it's going to be way more time effort and energy than most of them anticipate. I just hope of all of them stick with it and don't leave it to just a couple........... kind of like what happens with our current group of elected officials.
I'm hoping with fewer available position, we may actually get the most qualified candidate(s) elected instead of the one with the most friends or relatives.
|
|
|
|
massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 05/27/2009 : 9:09:51 PM
|
I'm hoping with fewer available position, we may actually get the most qualified candidate(s) elected instead of the one with the most friends or relatives.
[/quote]
Wouldn't that be wonderful? I hope it comes to fruition.
"Deb" |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Charter Review
