Following last February's refernedum to vote to retain the manager form of city government (not a vote on adoption of a strong mayor or aldermanic system), the Herald and Review wrote another editorial and commented this time on the need for the community to "speak with one voice". Following below are key excerpts that we think are interesting and relevant to the current debate. We have also included below the start of the editorial and links to the actual search which brought it up. For our comments see the main blog.
....Voters on Tuesday retained the council/manager form of government by a 59 to 41 percent margin....
.... The numbers are significant. More than 18,000 people voted on the issue. Nearly 60 percent of voters said that the current form of city government is the best for the city of Decatur.....
...... But no one should be blind to the fact that 41 percent of those who voted, 7,464 voters, were upset enough with city government operations to change to the commissioner form of government for at least the next few years. The reasons for those votes vary, but they shouldn�t all be ignored.....
....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....
....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.....
Herald & Review (Decatur, IL)
February 10, 2008
Section: Opinion
Page: B5
Our Views
THE VOTERS of Decatur made an important decision this week when they decided to retain the council/manager form of government. But even more crucial than Tuesday�s vote is what happens next. Voters on Tuesday retained the council/manager form of government by a 59 to 41 percent margin. A "no" vote would have caused Decatur city government to revert to the commissioner form of government, which ChangeDecatur advocated as the first step toward a strong mayor/alderman form of government.
At the same time, 41 percent demonstrated they have some issue with city government operations. The Herald & Review, on its editorial pages, supported retaining the council/manager form of government. We feel that it is the best form of government for Decatur.
But no one should be blind to the fact that 41 percent of those who voted, 7,464 voters, were upset enough with city government operations to change to the commissioner form of government for at least the next few years. The reasons for those votes vary, but they shouldn�t all be ignored.
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Copyright, 2008, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL
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