[RP TownTalk] Fwd: Follow-up Re: Change in Government
bob smith
sfmc68 at verizon.net
Tue Mar 8 20:08:37 UTC 2016
Mayor Archer, Council members,
I have read and studied the Proposed Charter changed introduced at last
evenings session.
On March 4th, 2015, I posted this (excerpted) to the town talk discussion:
Alan,
Thanks for all the detail thus far. Thanks to Marilyn and Audrey and
others for asking such good questions.
I have a slightly complex question (complex in phrasing properly) set to
offer.
What is the gain for the town in having town manager and what does the
town (or what do the people of the town and the council as elected reps)
loose in having a town manager?
I obviously have more detailed questions, but this sort of top level can
start the conversation.
Thanks
bob smith
ward 3
I have not yet seen a response. Perhaps there has been a response that
was not delivered or it is hung up in the internet system somewhere.
While I understand that there are other pressing matters that take
attention away from this conversation, I am concerned that the clock is
ticking on this now that it has been introduced and those questions have
not been answered.
As I stated, I am interested in seeing these questions answered, in open
dialogue, so that we can call engage in detailed discourse on the impact
of this proposal should it be passed. An informed citizenry is
essential for the future of Riverdale Park.
Respectfully,
Bob Smith,
ward 3.
On 3/8/16 11:39 AM, Vernon Archer wrote:
>
>
> Bob and all interested,
>
> I and everyone on the council share your concern that all voters and
> residents have an opportunity to be heard and participate in the process
> of considering the change of government that was formally introduced
> last evening. But I do want to point out that as a representative
> democracy we are controlled by state law and our charter in the process
> of proposing, passing and if deemed necessary referendum. You cannot
> take to referendum a law that has not been passed.
>
> In Maryland the concept of a referendum is designed to give voters a
> mechanism to correct the legislative body--council--if sufficient
> numbers of voters feel the body either did not listen to the voters or
> made some grave error. A referendum is the voters way to say a firm "NO"
> to legislation, not a way to express an open opinion YES or NO.
>
> I would like to point out that now that the legislation is proposed
> there will be a minimum of 2 meetings prior to the council taking action
> on the proposal, March 28 work session and the April 4 legislative
> meeting. There will not be action until the May 2 meeting that will
> also give an opportunity to discuss in the April 25 work session.
>
> Thus, please inform yourself about the proposal. Please work with the
> council to improve the proposal if you have limited concerns, but like
> the general thrust of the proposal, or let your representative know if
> you oppose the idea outright. I believe that the council is not
> interested in proposing anything so divisive and dividing in our town
> that it will end up having a referendum where even a significant
> minority are dissatisfied with their action. The goal is a consensus
> where an overwhelming majority of residents are happy with the outcome.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Vern
>
> On Tue, Mar 8, 2016 at 8:19 AM, bob smith <sfmc68 at verizon.net
> <mailto:sfmc68 at verizon.net>> wrote:
>
> Recalling the changes in Riverdale Park over the last 28 years, from
> name change to bond decisions, I believe it would be disservice to the
> Town and the citizens if a change in the form of the Town government was
> not decided by referendum.
>
> I urge the citizens of Riverdale Park to consider this matter on its
> merits, thoroughly discuss it, and put the matter to a vote by all of
> the eligible voters. I urge the Town Council to consider this approach
> as means of ensuring voice of the people is heard and listened to.
>
> Respectfully,
> Bob Smith
> Ward 3
>
> On 3/2/16 9:15 PM, Alan K. Thompson wrote:
> > Will the Mayor and Council be the only ones who decide this matter
> > or will it go to referendum for a vote by the residents?
> >
> >
> > Unless the citizens want a referendum, it will be decided by the
> > Council. § 4-304 of the Local Government Code of Maryland (which
> governs
> > amendments to municipal charters) allows referendum only at the
> request
> > of the voters - the Council cannot initiate a binding referendum.
>
>
> Entire message, to ensure continuity
> \
>
> Hi Audrey,
>
> Thank you for your interest in this. I'm happy to answer your questions
> for the current draft, but things may change because of feedback from
> the citizens and the Council. I'll answer your questions after each one
> below.
>
> On Wed, Mar 2, 2016 at 6:24 PM, Audrey Bragg <abragg7393 at aol.com
> <mailto:abragg7393 at aol.com>> wrote:
>
> Just reading the Town Crier and Mayor's report regarding the change
> in the town government. A professional manager will be in charge of the
> town instead of the Mayor. I would like to hear what other residents
> have to say about this and I do have questions.
> Will the CEO be required to live in the town? I think this is very
> important.
>
>
> This is not in the current draft. Greenbelt requires this of their City
> Manager, but I don't think that either College Park or Hyattsville (both
> of which have forms of government closer to the "Council-Manager" form
> than we do) require this. I can check into that and get back to you if
> you're interested.
>
>
> What are the education and experience requirements for the position?
>
>
> Currently full membership in good standing in the International City and
> County Manager's Association, which is a professional accreditation
> organization for managers of local governments. They have stringent
> requirements including educational requirements, and are recognized
> around the world.
>
>
> Why do we even need a Mayor if the CEO is in charge? Why not just
> have a board?
>
>
> In a lot of ways the Mayor is just a member of the Council under the
> proposal, but he or she does have some additional responsibilities, and
> is elected to represent the whole Town and not just part of it. As I
> said in my February Town Crier article about this change, in Greenbelt
> (the closest to a pure Council-Manager form of government near us) the
> Mayor is not directly elected. The language from the current draft
> says: "The mayor shall be recognized as the head of the town government
> for all ceremonial purposes, by the court for serving civil process, and
> by the Governor for the purpose of military and emergency law."
>
>
> Will the Mayor and Council be the only ones who decide this matter
> or will it go to referendum for a vote by the residents?
>
>
> Unless the citizens want a referendum, it will be decided by the
> Council. § 4-304 of the Local Government Code of Maryland (which governs
> amendments to municipal charters) allows referendum only at the request
> of the voters - the Council cannot initiate a binding referendum.
>
>
> Who will the CEO be responsible to? Can the council hire and fire?
> Is the CEO elected or appointed by council?
>
>
> The Town Manager is hired and removed by the Town Council, and is
> responsible to them and to the law; the exact language is "serves at the
> pleasure of the Council" and means that the Town Manager can be removed
> for any reason (or no reason, if the Council decides so). The current
> charter change draft has a specific process for removal of the Town
> Manager.
>
>
> Do any of the other local towns do this and how does it work for
> them?
>
>
> College Park, Hyattsville, and Greenbelt all have City Managers, though
> the split in power between the Council, Mayor, and Town Manager in all
> three are different (and that split is still being adjusted in my draft,
> even before formally introducing it). I would say that this system
> works well in all of those municipalities.
>
>
> I think this is a very serious and important matter and I think the
> residents need to be involved and notified when we can review any
> legislation and ask questions and it should be well advertised so people
> are aware and know what's going on.
>
>
> I agree. I wrote my long article on it in the February Town Crier,
> Mayor Archer wrote about it this month, and we can have up to 60 days
> after introduction to discuss it before we have to pass it reject it.
>
>
> I would really like to hear the opinions and ideas and questions
> from the residents.
>
>
> Me too!
>
> Thanks again for writing, and I'd love to continue the discussion.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Alan
>
>
>
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>
> --
> Vernon Archer, Mayor
> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
>
>
>
> --
> Vernon Archer, Mayor
> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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