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Peter Napolitano
Member
11 Posts |
 Posted - 08/19/2011 : 4:24:14 PM
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| You bring up some interesting points. There are no guarantees in anything. There's no guarantee that I'll be a part of City Government in January but sometimes you have fight for what you believe in and we're working for a win. Same with the Charter, residents need to get involve if they are no happy with November’s outcome. Obviously people can see that the old charter needed to be modernized. You & I as well as every voter will tell us in November which they prefer. Whether the Charter fails and a new petition drive starts or it passes and a petition drive to change the term back to 2 years starts, the process is the same. It hasn't been easy over the years to get this far but I think most people are in favor of a modern charter whether this is the one or the next. I've always just wanted the people to have a say in their government in spite of the powers that be who have blocked this one way or another. |
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cozulady
Senior Member
165 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2011 : 3:42:10 PM
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| Glad to see that cleared up. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 2:24:03 PM
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I was driving down Ferry Street yesterday and saw a sign on a home in favor of the new charter. Does anyone know who is paying for these political signs? Can it be the Charter Commission? I don't think they can do that, right? So, who else would have the money and a vested interest to see the new charter passed?
I was surprised to see the sign. Are there any others around the city? |
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Baby Huey
Member
95 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 2:36:22 PM
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| I brought up the same question to the charter comission chairman. He explained that they registered as a committee and are doing everything by the book. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 2:38:15 PM
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| So, is the Charter Commission putting those signs up? |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 8:02:04 PM
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| I spoke to two members that served on the charter commission, and both told me they do not know anything about lawn signs. If it's being done by the charter commission, then someone is not informing the rest. It's getting too much and I cant in good faith support this. "Someone" is really pushing instead of just leaving it up to people to decide. Makes you wonder why. |
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Marie
Senior Member
114 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2011 : 9:08:35 PM
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| Ummmm, could it be the four year clause, just saying! |
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Baby Huey
Member
95 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2011 : 07:03:01 AM
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| I think its unfair to say that the Mayor is the one really puhsing it. Peter also is in favor of it as well, as well of a lot of citizens. I think it's going to pass. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2011 : 4:24:48 PM
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Does anyone know if it's the Charter Commission paying for and putting up the "Vote Yes" signs? If it's an elected Commission, using taxpayers money, would that be illegal?
I am not in favor of the new charter and I do NOT want my tax dollars used to promote the vote on this issue, one way or the other.
I guess a call to the State might be in order here. |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2011 : 6:48:09 PM
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Massdee,
By law, the Charter Commission had to "return" (not that they were holding any actual funds) any money left in their budget one month after their final report was published. There was additional money allocated to them in the FY12 Budget for the printing and distribution of their final report shortly before the election; but, that money should have been allocated to (and I believe will be used by) the City Council since they are the ones responsible for those activities by law.
What I believe has happened is that some members of the Charter Commission have put together a committee that will try to promote the passage of the charter. That can be done for any ballot question. They would have had to have registered with the city thru the City Clerk's office. Registering as a committee alows them to raise money and gets them a slot in the ECTV Election videos and bulletin board. Anyone who is against the charter could set up their own committee and have the same rights. But I do believe that the deadline set by ECTV to get one of these slot may have already passed. |
Edited by - tetris on 09/21/2011 6:55:18 PM |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2011 : 8:44:40 PM
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| Thanks Tetris. I wanted to make sure it wasn't taxpayers money being used. |
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Tails
Administrator
2682 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 2:46:36 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by massdee
I was driving down Ferry Street yesterday and saw a sign on a home in favor of the new charter. Does anyone know who is paying for these political signs? Can it be the Charter Commission? I don't think they can do that, right? So, who else would have the money and a vested interest to see the new charter passed?
I was surprised to see the sign. Are there any others around the city?
I know of two signs that have been taken down as of this morning. Funny that it's on he BOA agenda tonight to ask the Charter Commission how they spent taxpayer dollars. I will never support this charter after what they did taking that right away from people to vote separately on a 4 year term for mayor. People need to realize we just finished an uninterrupted 4 year term and between the business tax and residential tax, I think we are close to a 30 million dollar increase. You'd be a fool to want another 4 years of that. |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 09/26/2011 : 4:46:58 PM
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| There is still a Charter sign up at the corner of Mead St and Cottage Street. I wonder why the others were taken down. |
Edited by - massdee on 09/26/2011 4:47:34 PM |
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tetris
Moderator
2040 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2011 : 08:20:45 AM
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Someone fowarded me a copy of this e-mail. This should clear up the issue of where the signs are coming from once and for all.
Watch campaign video:
You must be logged in to see this link.
Watch Everett's Voice: The Charter Final Report:
You must be logged in to see this link.
VOTERS CAN MAKE HISTORY AND CHANGE
EVERETT’S CHARTER THIS NOVEMBER
Everett MA Saturday, October 01, 2011. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two years ago Everett voters by a 4 to 1 margin overwhelmingly elected nine citizens to change Everett’s charter. A charter change question endorsed unanimously by the Everett Charter Commission will be on the November 8 ballot. This measure will ask voters if they want to change the form of government in the city from the current 119-year-old document.
Key recommendations include: abolishing the present 18-member common council and 7- member board of aldermen and elect an 11-member city council; electing a mayor as the city’s chief executive officer for a 4-year term; having the ability to recall any elected official; a prohibition that stops members of the city council and school committee from participating in the city’s group health insurance program; and a requirement for public comment at city council meetings. If adopted by a majority YES vote, the changes will be in effect by 2014.
A group of Citizens Hopeful for A New Government in Everett has formed as the Vote YES Change Everett Charter Committee in support of the education and outreach of the ballot question, stating that residents feel that the city needs a change that would create better accountability and efficiency in the city and change how city government operates. The committee has privately raised and spent funds to support and promote this campaign.
You can email the Vote YES Change Everett Charter Committee at ChangeEverett@comcast.net or call 617.389.8787 for a yard sign and bumper sticker.
Since November 2009 the volunteer Everett Charter Commission, a dedicated and committed group of elected citizens, worked openly, tirelessly and independently. The commissioners undertook an unprecedented effort to communicate and exchange ideas with citizens -- it listened to and learned from voters, public officials and experts.
The commission released the Proposed Charter Final Report in May, which contains a ballot question for consideration by voters on Election Day. A copy of the charter and summary will be mailed by the city council to each household with at least one registered voter by October 25.
The Final Report can be found on the commission’s web page at You must be logged in to see this link. Copies will also be available in October at city hall, the Parlin & Shute libraries and most public buildings.
The commission was legally mandated to buy space in local papers to advertise public hearings and to print, distribute and publicize a preliminary report to the voters in March at a cost of nearly seven thousand dollars. Ten thousand dollars was spent to retain a renowned, knowledgeable and hard working charter expert from the University of Massachusetts, Boston to guide, advise and write and research Massachusetts General Laws.
On June 3, as required by Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 43B, the commission returned $2901 in public funds from a budgeted twenty thousand dollars to the city. A copy of every invoice was reviewed and distributed to all elected officials.
Please remember to TURN THE BALLOT OVER! On the BACK you will find the question about the city charter. Vote YES to ensure that our government will be more transparent and responsive to the needs of the people who have a voice and a vote in the future of their city.
We are asking our friends and neighbors city wide to Vote YES Change Everett's charter. Remember, TURN THE BALLOT OVER and Vote YES, and support the change you requested for a new charter that will bring Everett’s government into the 21st century.
Paul Schlosberg, Chairman
Dorothy Martin Long, Treasurer
Vote YES Change Everett Charter Committee |
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waterboy
Senior Member
101 Posts |
Posted - 10/02/2011 : 2:08:25 PM
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| IT'S A NO FOR ME AND MY HOUSEHOLD NO 4 YEAR MAYOR NO WAY |
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Charter Review
