[RP TownTalk] TownTalk Digest, Vol 118, Issue 4

[bob smith]

There is the option for a referendum vote via petition I believe.
-bob smith

On 5/4/16 1:03 PM, Sarah Wayland wrote:
> It is wonderful to see people stepping up to discuss this important
> issue, but the town council put to a final vote Monday evening the
> question of whether we should transition to a council-manager form of
> government at that meeting. It is now law. 
> 
> The time to discuss this was the period of time between when CM Thompson
> first proposed it, in February, and when the final vote was taken on May
> 2nd. There was a lot of discussion - here on TownTalk, in private
> conversations with citizens, and at the numerous (8, if I count
> correctly) public meetings between when the issue was first raised and
> the final vote was taken. Many amendments were made to the original
> proposal in response to that discussion to address the issues that were
> raised. 
> 
> If the citizens wish the council to reconsider their decision, you can
> absolutely lobby them to do so. But starting July 1st, Riverdale Park
> will operate under the new form of government.  
> 
> This shift in management was NOT a roundabout way of firing our Town
> Administrator. Under the previous form of government, if Mayor Archer
> didn't want to renew Town Administrator Imhulse's contract (which is up
> at the end of this year), he had the authority to do that without
> consulting the rest of the council. And it's my understanding that Town
> Administrator Imhulse is absolutely welcome to apply for the job of Town
> Manager if it's a job she wants. 
> 
> Michael Herman proposed this same shift when he was mayor many years
> back. One of the most important aspects of it (in my mind) is that we
> have someone overseeing the town's operations who is specifically
> trained to do so. There is no guarantee that future elected officials
> will have any relevant experience. 
> 
> -Sarah
> 
> 
> 
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