The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento’s voter forum on the Strong Mayor Initiative served as the unofficial kickoff to the 2010 June Election season. Monday, over one hundred Sacramentans listened as the pros and cons of the Strong Mayor Initiative were debated and the majority and minority perspectives on the Charter Review Commission’s report were discussed.

“I’m ecstatic about the turnout. It once again shows Sacramentans are committed to civic engagement," Stonewall President Chris Moore said. "Far too often very substantial changes to public policy are made via the ballot box without appropriate vetting. Tonight we’re trying to give more opportunity for folks to consider the merits of the initiative that we will be voting on.”

The evening was moderated by Sacramento State Professor of Communications, Jacqueline Irwin who welcomed the group with thoughts of Aristotle and the importance of civic engagement in our city.

Jeffrey Dorso, representing Sacramentans for Accountable Government, was the first speaker of the evening. He argued that Sacramento has changed dramatically since the current charter was implemented in 1921. During his speech, he largely ignored the fact that the charter has been amended a number of times, including professionalizing the city council, moving to district elections and creating a full-time mayor.

He noted that issues like the K Street corridor and the railyard are citywide issues, in need of citywide perspective, rather than community-based representation. Dorso consistently argued for “courage and opposing the status quo” rather than the details of the initiative.

Anna Molander spoke on behalf of Support Accountable and Voice and Ethics in Sacramento and the Democratic Party of Sacramento County.

“Unlike the quote in today’s paper, I think Sacramento is a world class city now,” she said.

Dorso readily agreed. “Sacramento is a great city. I live here, I choose to raise my family here.” Dorso lives in West Sacramento.

Molander noted that the initiative system does not allow for refinement. “If we enact this initiative and find that it is flawed, we’re stuck with it, until someone raises enough money to put a new initiative on the ballot.”

She went on to argue that the initiative is fatally flawed in a number of ways, including the issue of creating a ninth district, without a provision to fill out, that it would open the door to corruption and cronyism and that it would eliminate independent review.

Alan LoFaso, who is the Vice President of the Stonewall Democrats, represented the majority on the Charter Review Commission.

He offered background on Sacramento’s current form of government. “The council manager form of government was formed in the 1920s as a guarantor against corruption.”

LoFaso noted, “Council-manager form of government allows all of the policy making decisions to be made in one place. It allows the citizens to come to one place and express their views. The strong mayor initiative concentrates power and that inhibits inclusiveness.”

Chris Tapio represented the minority on the Charter Review Commission. He continued Dorso’s argument, focusing on a general desire for change.

“As cities grow, they see the collaborative form of government they have relied on break down,” he said.

Tapio asked, “Are we better off with the city being able to hire and fire its chief executive officer in an election every four years?” Under the current system of government, the chief executive officer (the City Manager) can be replaced whenever necessary by vote of the City Council.

Strongest Mayor in the State?
LoFaso noted that no other city in the state gives the mayor the authority to hire and fire as many as 800 employees. Every other city allows the mayor to hire the city manager, who is essentially the chief of staff. Beyond that, every city in California with a strong mayor also employs term limits and all but one have an ethics commission.

Neither was included in the Strong Mayor Initiative. Dorso argued that this proposal includes a number of checks that other cities do not have. He did not, however, offer any examples.

Dorso noted that the Initiative creates a new check, allowing the City Council to confirm employees, protecting the city from corruption in hiring. LoFaso corrected him, however, pointing out that council confirmation of employees only applies to a very small number of the 800 under mayor’s control. The overwhelming majority are entirely subject to the mayor’s whims.

Endorsement
After rigorous debate, the Stonewall Democratic Club affirmatively opposed the Strong Mayor Initiative. The lone dissenting vote was cast by panelist Chris Tapio.

Moore said, “After hearing from the opponents and proponents of the initiative, I’m glad to see the Club has taken an opposition position. I believe substantial changes to our City Charter need to be done in a more transparent inclusive manner.”

Candidate Forum Series
Over the next three months, the Stonewall Democrats will be having candidate forums on the second Monday of each month, at 5:30 p.m. at the Radisson (500 Leisure Lane).

February 8: Council District 7 and County Supervisor District 1
March 8: Assembly Districts 5 and 9
April 12: Council Districts 1 and 5