Mayor Gary hasn’t even got his desk cleaned out, and some Council members are beating the drums for a new City Manager form of government. This new way is said to be more efficient, but I call it a power grab.

And one council member says that the public doesn’t understand the difference.  So maybe I can help out there.

Edmonds has been around over 100 years, and the Mayor, Council government has so far worked out pretty good. The Council makes the rules, and the Mayor runs the town.

And, if both sides really can’t agree, we might have gridlock. Which maybe isn’t so bad for us common folk after all, ‘cause then, none of the politicians can make too much mischief.

The way things are now, both the Council and the Mayor work for us, and if we don’t like either’s performance, we go to the ballot box and throw the bums out.

But it seems the Council is not satisfied with just making the rules, they now want to hire the guy who will run the town, as well, all in the name of more efficient government.

That way, they can pick their own dog, and if he doesn’t bark when they say so, and roll over on command, they can turn him in at the pound, and pick up another, and maybe more compliant, mutt.

And look at the poor guy they hire. Working for seven bosses, who play musical chairs every election, and always looking over his or her shoulder to see when the axe will fall.

And it seems to be pretty often, with average City Manager tenure in Washington State being 5 to 7 years. 

And folks, does that make for efficient government, and experienced administration?

I think not. 
In fact, it seems to me that a professional baseball manager has about as much job security.

Hey, if we had this on the National level, we wouldn’t elect a President, the Congress would hire one, and throw him or her out when they didn’t like what he or she was doing.

And at the State level, we wouldn’t have Gov. Chris, elected by us, but rather Harry Hack, some politician’s cousin, hired by the legislature.

And the clinching argument.

Under a City Manager format, the City Manager, who is really only an employee, toils at his desk, while the Council members take turns with all that neat ceremonial stuff.

Like getting their picture in the paper, working Sister City arrangements, not to mention soaking up free food and drink on the banquet circuit.

And maybe even taking those boring fact finding junkets.
No thanks, folks. I think I like things just the way they are.