Here's something you might be interested in.
The city council's rules committee, meekly compliant to the mayor and his establishment puppeteers, on Wednesday (Jan. 13) ignored a proposal by the League of Women Voters to extend the trial period for strong mayor concept, rather than ask the voters to make it permanent. "They did not comment on it, did not reject it, did not approve it, they ignored it," says Norma Damashek, president of the league. "I think it was a violation of rules, regulations and procedures, a violation of due process," she says, and the league may request a hearing. Donna Frye, the one sensible member of the committee, had left before the vote. Only 3 committee members were there. They voted to suggest to the full council that voters in June make the strong mayor concept permanent and make a 2/3 vote necessary for the council to override a mayor's veto. It would also add a 9th council district. A representative of the mayor's office wanted any deliberation by the committee to be "shorter and quicker," says Damashek. "If our councilmembers have diminished authority, then the public loses out," says Damashek. "The public has become invisible. Where is the city council?"
The city council's rules committee, meekly compliant to the mayor and his establishment puppeteers, on Wednesday (Jan. 13) ignored a proposal by the League of Women Voters to extend the trial period for strong mayor concept, rather than ask the voters to make it permanent. "They did not comment on it, did not reject it, did not approve it, they ignored it," says Norma Damashek, president of the league. "I think it was a violation of rules, regulations and procedures, a violation of due process," she says, and the league may request a hearing. Donna Frye, the one sensible member of the committee, had left before the vote. Only 3 committee members were there. They voted to suggest to the full council that voters in June make the strong mayor concept permanent and make a 2/3 vote necessary for the council to override a mayor's veto. It would also add a 9th council district. A representative of the mayor's office wanted any deliberation by the committee to be "shorter and quicker," says Damashek. "If our councilmembers have diminished authority, then the public loses out," says Damashek. "The public has become invisible. Where is the city council?"