We encourage everyone to look at history for perspective and insight. One editorial in the Herald & Review on February 10, 2008, caught our eye for its relevance to the debate about having districts/wards in Decatur and the merits of a strong mayor form of government. See the recap of the Herald & Review Editorial here.
What we found interesting was:
"In order to progress and solve any of the issues facing the city of Decatur, there needs to be a larger majority pulling in a common direction. That doesn't mean everyone has to agree in lockstep, but it does require an end to the wasteful in-fighting that was part of this election. It requires a unified sense of purpose or, as Decatur School Superintendent Gloria Davis says about education, the willingness to speak with "one voice."
and
"It's also safe to assume that at least some of the 59 percent, 10,605 voters, who voted to retain the council/manager form of government also have issues with city government and concerns about the future of the city."
and
"Bringing more unity to the community will require some compromises. Maybe it's council members elected by districts, while retaining the city manager form of government. Maybe it's an agreement on the type of successor to City Manager Steve Garman. Maybe it's making sure more people have a voice on community issues. Most likely, it's all of those things and more."
There is much to agree with in this editorial. While having a broader community consenus is desirable, no community in a democracy accomplishes this with "one voice". Nothing is more fundementally an antithesis to democracy than the idea that only one voice speaks for the community, unless that voice effectively represents all segments of the community and can be held accountable to them.
One reason to empower multiple segments in Decatur with district representation is to help build consensus and accountability. Providing each discrete group of voices (i.e. neighborhoods) effective advocates that live with, and understand, their needs and concerns strengthens the consensus. By aligning the voices of many into a cohesive plan for all of Decatur will strengthen consensus for appropriate actions.
The debate this week is whether individuals closely aligned with a business organization and living mostly in one or two parts of the city, effectively represent all of Decatur. We think not. More importantly, why do four of these people think their judgement should deny 7,000 voters, 18,000 voters or more the right to consider and decide this very important issue of representation in a democracy? Please ask them.
It is also noteworthy that "compromises" suggested by the Herald & Review have received limited traction in Decatur since the election. We wonder when the H&R will ask for accountability from those that ignore their counsel.
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