INCLUDED IN THIS E-NEWSLETTER: • Burr’s Fountain Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary – Today • Charter Review Committee Town Hall Meetings • My Views on Reforming the City Charter • McKinley Rose Garden Master Plan Update • SHPS/ Mercy Construction Update UPCOMING EVENTS • Alkali Mansion Flats Neighborhood Clean Up – October 3rd • Ben Ali Neighborhood Clean Up – October 3rd • Compost Seminar- October 3rd • Sacred Heart Parish School Fall Festival – October 3rd • Albie Aware Blues for Life Even... d3rocks Ronald West comment-14884 2009-10-02T22:47:15Z 2009-10-02T22:47:15Z I am in agreement with many of Councilmember Cohn’s views on reform. However, Mr. Cohn is misguided on two points, specifically his interpretation of checks and balances and hire/fire authority. The Strong Mayor Initiative clearly places all legislative and quasi-judicial powers in the hands of the Council and all executive and administrative powers in the hands of the Mayor. The system of checks and balances is very similar to that of the federal government. In regards to hiring and firing authority, the wording of the Initiative is almost identical to the current Charter. The Initiative impacts only the 742 exempt City employees (approximately 16% of the total workforce) by shifting hiring/firing from the unelected City Manager to the elected Mayor. Further, the Initiative balances the Mayor's firing authority by requiring City Council concurrence on all Mayoral hiring decisions. The current Charter allows for the City Manager to hire City employees without Council approval. The Strong Mayor Initiative balances legislative and executive powers without creating term limits. I agree that term limits should be addressed on a city-wide basis and should encompass a discussion of limits for both the Mayor and the Council. Like Councilmember Cohn, I also look forward to a “vigorous debate at Council.” But for those debates to result in sound decision-making, our elected officials must have their facts straight. Ronald West 2009-10-02T22:47:15Z