I’m not sure how it all happened but earlier this year I found myself feverishly debating the ChangeDecatur proposal that was on the February 5th ballot. I even went a few rounds on blogDecatur with Steve Daniels, a ChangeDecatur leader and spokesman. I was against the change to a commission form of government but not necessarily against the idea of a strong mayor. The change to a commission form seemed undesirable by pretty much everyone involved; it was intended to be a temporary change until a transition to strong mayor could be made later – I felt it was an unnecessary step, hence my opposition. On the day of the election my stomach was tied in knots waiting for the outcome; I felt I had some personal connection to the whole “thing”. I was relieved when the proposal failed but not completely satisfied with the current system.
In theory the council/manager form of government is supposed to be non-partisan, and “less prone to corruption” than other forms of city government. However, we’ve grown accustomed to many behind the door deals in the city manager’s office that often times leaves public input or awareness out. We’ve also witnessed council members seemingly left in the dark as to how management of the city is being carried out, and an overall sense, that nobody has their hands on the wheel and the ship is veering off course. Important decisions are constantly being put on the back burner. Often times there isn’t enough information provided by the city manager to the council, or the opposite occurs, and there’s an information overload that overwhelms the council, so much so, that they can’t make a confident decision about anything. I’ve always been in the camp that maybe it’s just a personnel problem but maybe it is the system.
Now that mayor Osborne has stepped down we’ve seen a quicker, swifter council led by Mayor Carrigan. As soon as there’s a sense that a proposal has four votes, it’s voted on and approved. However, the more efficient approach has led to some bone-headed decisions, like a water rate increase that is higher than what was initially proposed and the rather lamely, hastily debated “hybrid” ballot question that was kicked the curb after two brief “study sessions”. It makes me wonder if the proposal was a load of baloney from the start just to squash ChangeDecatur’s efforts. I don’t know. Maybe some of the blame is the community. Maybe we should get more vocal. Maybe I should have done what the council has repeatedly said we citizens have the right to do, and stepped up to the podium and pleaded my case for placing the question on the April 2009th ballot, but I doubt it would have made any difference.
At any rate, I’m beginning to concur, it’s time for change in a major way.