Letters
‘Why’ a city manager in Edmonds?
Published on Thu, Jul 8, 2010 by Jim UnderhillRead More Letters
Editor:
Quick on the heels of the Skipper’s property debacle, the Council again tests our patience.
This time, a movement comes to change our form of governing; not a small consideration.
A majority of Council members voted to hold a hearing asking us whether to adopt the City Manager/Council form of government.
They have gone to some length to tell us how it can work, how to vote to make the change, and other details. But no one has presented a case as to ‘why’ the change is needed.
I have read through Council minutes, watched the discussion of June 15 on cable, and read a few articles from the proponents.
Nothing presented establishes the need for change.
Council member Buckshnis talked of ‘research’ about drunken Mayors in Edmonds, rattled some papers to underscore her point, but never linked this fact or fable to the proposal.
Mr. Plunkett talked about special election processes, how this form of governance could work, etc.
Maggie Fimia also chimed-in but, again, only speaking about ‘how’ this could work in Edmonds, not the reason for the change.
So how did the meeting of June 15 end? Well, with a 4-2 vote to hold a public hearing on this issue!
And to think we just went through such an experience with the Skipper’s matter.
Time will now be diverted to a consideration that no one can explain, with no data to support, or a seeming care for the money it will cost us (anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000).
We the citizen/voters/taxpayers of this great City need to just say NO to this bad idea.
Do it by email, Twitter, phone call, Facebook, carrier pigeon, or by a comment at the hearing - but do it, and often.
There really are more pressing matters in Edmonds.
Jim Underhill
Quick on the heels of the Skipper’s property debacle, the Council again tests our patience.
This time, a movement comes to change our form of governing; not a small consideration.
A majority of Council members voted to hold a hearing asking us whether to adopt the City Manager/Council form of government.
They have gone to some length to tell us how it can work, how to vote to make the change, and other details. But no one has presented a case as to ‘why’ the change is needed.
I have read through Council minutes, watched the discussion of June 15 on cable, and read a few articles from the proponents.
Nothing presented establishes the need for change.
Council member Buckshnis talked of ‘research’ about drunken Mayors in Edmonds, rattled some papers to underscore her point, but never linked this fact or fable to the proposal.
Mr. Plunkett talked about special election processes, how this form of governance could work, etc.
Maggie Fimia also chimed-in but, again, only speaking about ‘how’ this could work in Edmonds, not the reason for the change.
So how did the meeting of June 15 end? Well, with a 4-2 vote to hold a public hearing on this issue!
And to think we just went through such an experience with the Skipper’s matter.
Time will now be diverted to a consideration that no one can explain, with no data to support, or a seeming care for the money it will cost us (anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000).
We the citizen/voters/taxpayers of this great City need to just say NO to this bad idea.
Do it by email, Twitter, phone call, Facebook, carrier pigeon, or by a comment at the hearing - but do it, and often.
There really are more pressing matters in Edmonds.
Jim Underhill