[RP TownTalk] Follow-up Re: Change in Government
bob smith
sfmc68 at verizon.net
Wed Mar 9 15:21:17 UTC 2016
Mister Mayor, Councilors,
Thank you for your response. I will point out, I advised on 4 March
that I have a set of complex questions. I expect to drill into detail as
I receive information. As I said:
> 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.
This is an important subject to me, and I hope to the entire town.
I think we need transparency in thinking about this and planning for the
town's future.
Respectfully,
bob smith
ward 3
On 3/9/16 6:31 AM, Vernon Archer wrote:
> Bob,
>
> As you have expanded your question/questions significantly I'm going to
> take some time to craft my reply.
>
> Also, staff will post the timeline for consideration of the proposal so
> everyone will know it.
>
> Vern
>
> On Tue, Mar 8, 2016 at 4:25 PM, bob smith <sfmc68 at verizon.net
> <mailto:sfmc68 at verizon.net>> wrote:
>
> Mayor Archer, Council members, and those who are interested,
>
> Thank you Mayor, I have re-read the article you cited. Respectfully, in
> my opinion, your response and article cite some what qualitative answers
> that could be construed as answering to my first question but I do not
> believe they do. This proposed change would fundamentally change the
> elected governance model for Riverdale Park.
>
> While the article portrays a bit of forward thinking citing increased
> workloads caused by the growth of Riverdale Park and the interaction
> with service providers and other municipalities as a need for a CEO like
> individual to handle this, have any other options been evaluated both
> qualitatively and and quantitatively?
>
> In addition to the qualitative aspects cited in your article, there are
> some unmentioned aspects that I believe need to be measured
> quantitatively as best they can be before venturing down the path of
> change. This proposal is more than a name change and new role for the
> full time paid person who takes on the role. What will that cost, in
> real dollars, fully loaded benefits and so on? The implications of the
> wording in your article is increased staff, in addition to this new
> role, is it not? I trust the council and mayor have researched the
> projected cost over years for such a new position but I have not heard a
> whisper of that data. Is there a set of projections? I am assuming this
> will be an add to the budget.
>
> The entities of College Park and Greenbelt have been cited as examples
> of this model of operation. Both of those entities are Cities in
> Maryland. Does this show a longer range plan to move Riverdale Park to
> City status rather than a Town?
>
> I am trying to grasp the overall picture here, and assume most of the
> rest of Riverdale would like to know what we would be getting into with
> this change.
>
> Respectfully,
> bob smith
> ward 3
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 3/8/16 3:31 PM, Vernon Archer wrote:
> > Bob,
> >
> > While my mayor's report in the Town Crier was not specifically
> written to answer the two questions you pose, it in effect does
> answer them. If you haven't read it already you can access it at
> http://riverdaleparkmd.info/Crier/Mar%202016%20Crier_jeb.pdf
> >
> > It gives my take on why I support the change generally-- though I
> count myself among those who will ask for some changes prior to
> passage. I didn't directly answer the "lose" question because I
> don't really see how the town residents/voters lose in any tangible
> way. I suppose the Office of the mayor loses executive authority,
> but I can't see how anybody (other than me) cares about that.
> >
> > Vern
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >> On Mar 8, 2016, at 3:08 PM, bob smith <sfmc68 at verizon.net
> <mailto:sfmc68 at verizon.net>> wrote:
> >>
> >> 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>
> >>> <mailto: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>
> >>> <mailto: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
> >>
> >
>
>
>
>
> --
> Vernon Archer, Mayor
> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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