Charter Review Board meets....doesn't review !
The Charter Review Board is supposed to look at the City Charter from time to time. The City Charter spells out all the rules for governing the City. How many Commissioners will there be? Will the Mayor's position be strong or weak? Are there term limits? How long? Can the City Commission sell off the people's land and/or parks without the people's OK? And on and on. You can see why it's an important board!
When we last discussed the Charter Review Board's scheduled meeting, we wondered if they would accomplish anything given the highly political nature of the Board, and it's even more political make-up. And our concern played out - they didn't even meet that time ! And that meeting was a postponement from an earlier meeting!
So I guess we could consider yesterday's meeting a resounding success. They met ! They picked a Chair and a Vice-Chair. And that's about it!
It looked dicey at first. A member was missing, and the Commission had a dictate that all their appointees needed to be present. The big-shots were there to monitor the goings-on. City Management staff came in big numbers. The City Attorney stood ready. Even Naugle, who had pushed previous Charter Boards to make his position a Strong-Mayor position, was there.
And then it happened. Member Chris Fertig rushed in. The meeting was on.
After a few short moments of political posturing, they picked a Chair - Attorney Greg Durden, and a Vice Chair - Attorney Chris Fertig.
And then they basically adjourned. There was some limited talk about the two items that they perceived as their current agenda . The first was moving the City Elections to November to coincide with Presidential Elections. Judy Stern, appointed by Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, stated that maybe lengthening term limits might accomplish that (Yikes!), and her arch rival, member Dan Lewis , mumbled that maybe shortening the Mayor/Commissioner terms might be the better route.
They left with the understanding that they'd get together again - sometime!
When we last discussed the Charter Review Board's scheduled meeting, we wondered if they would accomplish anything given the highly political nature of the Board, and it's even more political make-up. And our concern played out - they didn't even meet that time ! And that meeting was a postponement from an earlier meeting!
So I guess we could consider yesterday's meeting a resounding success. They met ! They picked a Chair and a Vice-Chair. And that's about it!
It looked dicey at first. A member was missing, and the Commission had a dictate that all their appointees needed to be present. The big-shots were there to monitor the goings-on. City Management staff came in big numbers. The City Attorney stood ready. Even Naugle, who had pushed previous Charter Boards to make his position a Strong-Mayor position, was there.
And then it happened. Member Chris Fertig rushed in. The meeting was on.
After a few short moments of political posturing, they picked a Chair - Attorney Greg Durden, and a Vice Chair - Attorney Chris Fertig.
And then they basically adjourned. There was some limited talk about the two items that they perceived as their current agenda . The first was moving the City Elections to November to coincide with Presidential Elections. Judy Stern, appointed by Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, stated that maybe lengthening term limits might accomplish that (Yikes!), and her arch rival, member Dan Lewis , mumbled that maybe shortening the Mayor/Commissioner terms might be the better route.
They left with the understanding that they'd get together again - sometime!
Well, one thing's for sure- things around City Hall remain constant-nothing gets done!!! Can't conjour up enough interest or passion to meet and get something accomplished,a new idea floating,or anything...... Send out the clowns........
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After posturing about wanting to be able to attend...Rodstrom, Hutchinson, Teel & Moore couldn't work it into their busy schedules. Appointed members were late, unprepared and some hadn't bother to read the charter...wanted to have someone do the work for them and then complained that they needed more information after delaying for nearly 2 months. If you didn't want the job - why did you accept the appointment. One didn't even want public input....what is her story? Guess she doesn't remember that it is something that is voted on by the taxpayers.
Get on board, there is a time line to be met to make any kind of change. Look at the recommendations that the chicken Commission didn't want to talk about last time and for pity sakes, let the voters decide on whether to make the changes....just put it on the ballot. You don't need to choose for us!
Either do the job you were appointed to do or get off the board. We don't need any more delays.
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Your last statement I agree with you so 100%! Why ask to be appointed to a board if you cannot fill that seat? Let someone else fill your seat that really believes that he/she can do the job.
I sat on the NAB for 6 years, I truthfully read every case that was coming before us for the month. I knew of all the problems on the certain property that became before us, by doing this I was able to ask questions to the property owner (or his/her attorney) & vote the best way I felt what was best for the property.
I feel that one should not ask to sit/serve on a board if their heart is not into. No matter what board it is that the city has ~ you submit an application/you get chosen "Than do your job as a board member "(or leave !)
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