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Show Page 48—THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, Wednesday, June 17¥ 1981 Opinions The Herald, its readers, syndicated columnists and cartoonists discuss vital issues The Herald Comments Council-Mayor System’s Good for Provo Provo City voters should say “‘yes’’ on Tuesday to the council-mayor form of government. The change will give them a more efficient, more responsive, more broadly representative and more accountable city government. This is not to detract from the job done the past 20 years by the people who have served in the commission form of government. Their intentions and their work have beenexcellent. But it is pointed out manytimesthat we are ‘‘a government of laws and not of men.’’ Provo has made great strides in the past few years, not because of the form of government but becauseof the caliber of people who have served init. Unprincipled or inept officials don’t help any city, but Provo City would be far more able to cope with one in a seven-membercouncil system that separates the legislative and executive functions than in a threemember commission in which merges the two. The measure on Tuesday’s ballot would revamp Provo City Government to provide for a sevenmembercity council, a full-time mayor and a fulltime chief administrative officer who would serve at the pleasure of the mayor. Three council members would be elected at-large, and the other four would be elected from geographic districts of the city. Under the current commission form of government, the mayor and two commissioners serve fulltime along with an elected city auditor. Each commissioner, in addition to acting in a legislative capacity, exercises direct executive authority over one or more city departments. The council-mayor form of government will be moreefficient because of its separation of the executive and legislative functions of government prescribed in the U.S. Constitution. It eliminates the potential for the conflict of interest that exists in the present system which requires commissioners to make both executive and legislative decisions. Under the new form, the mayor and administrative officer will make executive decisions, and the council will makelegislative ones. The mayor will have the sameveto powerthe President has . over Congress, and the council will have the same prerogative to override a veto with a twothirds vote that Congress has. Provo Citizens Opposed to the Council-Mayor Form of Government have argued against the proposal becausethey contend it’s a new version of the city manager form which was tried and will arrange the overall, daily administration ofall city departments under the mayor and his chief administrative officer. The present system fragments that administration three ways and holds more potential for empire building rather than ‘“bigpicture’ decision-making. The council-mayor system will be more responsive and accountable because its legislative branch will be elected, and four of its members will be elected directly by residents of specific areasof thecity. Those members serving specific districts have a built-in incentive to be familiar with its needs and to see those needsare met. Theat-large memberswill serve as a tempering influence, since they must please a majority of all city voters. The council-mayor form provides for the same represented than by three elected commissioners, an elected auditor also directly responsible to the people, and 29 Neighborhood Chairmen who each preside over a neighborhood committee composed of at least four neighborhood representatives? A Feedbackletter on June 4. 1981 suggested, ‘*..Provo canthriveif we citizens get involved...’" My Point That is what is happening through the neighborhood group program will assure views and concerns of each area will be heard. Operating as a legislative body, the council will set city-wide policy and oversee its execution. Thus, leaving the mayor and his associates and the departmentheadsas advisorsto the Council. planners and operators in their fields of specilization. Area wide views and needs will be considered and more knowledge brought to bear on the issues and problems. I urgeall to clearly think through the issues and express your views with your vote. When the results are in, we wantto say this is what the majorityofall citizens of Provo eligible to vote want. Robert H. Slover 1717 North Pine Lane Provo fire sub stations; executive golf course and club house; eight new parks of 75 acres total; parks department buildings; sheltered workshop; equipment maintenance complex; extensive improvements to distribution systems of water and power. In addition to the aboveitems,the industrial area in south Provo by the golf course andthe research park on west 8th North have added greatly to the tax baseof the city. The new Study Facts Before Voting Provo a model city and brought honor to city personnel through special awards of merit. Provo was the leader in Utah in establishing computerized fiscal control under the elected auditor. During the six years of council manager government, 20 years ago, there were no major capital improvements of record. In fact, not onepiece of newfirefighting equipment wasprovided. Thereis no record of malfeasance in the commission administration. On the other hand, the council-type government became so offensive that the people voted it out Provois different. It is not cut out of the cloth fabricated by the managementadvocates. This is the finest city in America becauseof the alert citizens, the good leaders, the dedicated personnel and the best educationalfacilities. Commission governmentis close to the people. It is not encumbered with bureaucracyor the jargon of managementtypes. If this was the only city in the United States with commission government, it would still be the best Wake up citizens, don't be deceived. Look around you — learn the truth. Vote ‘‘No’’ on June 23rd Verl G. Dixon Former Provo Mayor for 12 years under commission government repudiated 20 years ago. Under that properly rejected form of government, the city manager served at the pleasure of the council, and when the city manager took too much poweron himself the council couldn’t summon the majority to get rid of him. Under the council-mayor proposal, the chief administrative officer is hired by the mayor and a council majority and can’t be fired by the mayor, and if the mayor expects to be re-elected he will have to make sure the administrative officer is responsive to the people or find one who is. The opposition group also has complainedthatif the council-mayor form is approved, the city would have to pay the salaries of the city auditor and one city commissioner until their terms expire two years from now — plus the salaries of the new of- Future ficials. That’s true, but the information needs to be put in perspective. Let’s say the Geneva Works of United States Steel Corp. were to install technology that would double the plant’s productivity and profit, yet it would be necessary for a brief time to produce simultaneously with the existing equipment as well as the new equipment. Would those profitminded managers scrap the changeover becauseof a relatively small, onetime expense? It's time for Provo to adopt the form of city government which will enable it to do the most for its more than 75,000 residents and get the mostservice out of a $36 million annual budget. It’s time to adopt the council-mayor form of government with a ‘‘yes”’ vote on Tuesday. Feedba ck Put Wind Back In Provo Sails Editor, Herald: Provovoters ... The buck stops at the ballot box on June 23. Vote “yes’’ for a change to the Mayor/ Council form of city government and gain someimportant changesto brighten Provo's future. It's now the second largestcity in Utahandit’s also the fastest growing bedroom community and that means we are housing the people who work somewhereelse. You may say - ‘Should I take your word for it?” No, look around, talk to people, drive downtown. Think about where we are and where we ought to be. Other cities in Utah County are progressing despite the current business climate. Look at the prosperous changing skyline of the cities to the north. Provo's potential always seemsto be standing in the wingswaiting. Every majorcity in Utah hasdiscarded the commission form ofcity government except Provo, West Valley, and Murray, whichall vote for a change this summer.In an excellent article May 11, 1981 U. S. News & World Reports called the commission form of municipal government the least popular and now used by less thanfive percentof the cities in the United States. West Valley's mayor recently said they must change from the commission to the less expensive Mayor/Council form or face dis-incorporating to balance their budget. (The Daily Herald, June 7, 1981) Five years agoI served a year on an appointed commission to do an intensive study of local government in Utah County. We metwith every city and their elected leaders and citizen committees. I’m not surprised Spanish Fork, American Fork, Orem, Payson, Springville, Lehi, Pleasant Grove, and even Mapleton are forging ahead when I remember the large groups of enthusiastic boosters that packed into those meetingsto tell us what they wanted to dofor their town, [n Provo, we met with three commissioners who exuded the feeling we'vegot it made, we'rethepillar of success in the county. Under the proposed Mayor/Council form Provo can have a mayor who can be a full-time leader and managerof the city and not a man shackled by the commission form. Currently, because of the system, the mayor is a leaderbytitle only since he shares one-third of the power of the government with the two other commissioners. It isn't his fault but the commission system that makes him a memberof a committee of three. Remember a majority votein this system is two. We need a political head who is answerable to the people and not a memberof a committee Provo needs the broader citizen voice offered by the Mayor/Council form. Look around at the potential leaders in our community who would make good candidates for a new part-time council. It's really an impressivelist, A broader spectrum of talent can serve on a part-time counci], Few can serve under the present commission form since they must quit their job or business for four years. Provo needs a mayorfreeto lead, notjust a manelected to serve on a committee. Provo needs broader representation of its population through a seven member part-time council and district representation Provo needs enthusiastic citizen involvement through an expanded neighborhood committee system to attain its potential Provo needs a voter, not a buck passer, who will stand up and be counted by the thousands on June 28rd. The moveto get a new system .. Mayor/Council City Government . is the most exciting grass roots committee ever born in this great town. Join ... Vote yes and put the wind back in Provo’ssails. Colleen C. Dixon 310 E. 1900 N. Provo Provo Change Not Necessary Editor, Herald: Provo has an outstanding police department with an excellent chief of police. How would a different form of city government change this? Provo's fire departmentis efficient and progressive. Would Sa the government improve is? Each of the department heads know their jobs and run their departments in an economical manner. Changing the government would make no changesfor thebetter in this area. The city employees are interested in doing their best for the city. They are secure with the present form of government. Why change this? The Neighborhood Chairman Program, according to Mayor Ferguson . has undergone changes through the years to best meet Provo's needs. Atthe present time,it is alive and growing, and the future promises even greater accomplishments.’* as reported in the Daily Herald, June 3, 1981, on page 40. The Neighborhood Chairmen meet monthly with the City Commission This interchange between the elected representatives (the mayor and the two commissioners) and the Neighborhood Chairmen, (who know their neighborhood and its needs) hasresulted in manygood thingsbe. ing accomplished in a democratic way. One Feedbackletter June 7, 1981 stated, “For many years the commission form of government has served satisfactorily, but more than once poordecisions have been made on critical issues..."’ My point: What are these “more than once poor decisions?" It would be interesting to have them enumerated. And, if it is possible to enumerateany, how do the results compareto the decisions made during the tragic, trial government which was most similar to what now is being proposed? Another Feedback letter June 7, 1981, stated, ‘'...Provo deserves the broader representation a mayorcouncil form provides..."" My By How could the people be better and at considerably less cost than the mayor. imported manager. and part-time commissioners form of government would be The same writer also suggested ‘Membership on the sevenmember council on a part-time basis will provide opportunity for many of Provo's knowledgable, talented and experienced citizens to contribute to the future of our City Whatan enormousresourceofpotential!’ My point: All these ‘‘talented andexperienced” citizens need to do is be active in the neighborhood program (and no doubt many of them are) or attend the city commission meetings for Provo to benefit from the ‘'..enormous resource of potential!’” Havinglived in Provo for 61 years and being interested in Provo's governmentfor mostof those years, T will be voting “‘NO” to the proposal to change Provo's present form of government. I hope you decide to duplicate my vote on June 23rd. Mark Anderson 953 N. 900 E. Provo Express Views With Your Vote Editor, Herald: Weall are aware city government has a direct and immediateeffect on our lives as citizens and taxpayers. So naturally we want for our city government that which will serve us best, administered by the best available men and women as ourcity officials. We now have an opportunity on June 23rd to evaluate and decide what form of city governmentwill serve us best. With this objective in mind, let us overcomeour normallocal government voter apathy and all express our views so we will have a majority rather than a minority deci- sion After a study of the theory and practice of possible forms of city government, it is my view that Provo, now and in the future of rapid growth, will be served best by the Council-Mayor rather than the Commission form. I base this decision on two major points: 1, The Council-Mayor form will give us the basic democratic princi- ple of separation of powers - a legislative deliberative policy group and an executive administering group - now lacking in the present Commission form. We can achieve the sameresults of checks 2. The Council-Mayor system will give us more complete representa- tion of all areas of the city. The Geographical, Area Representation Editor, Herald: It has been said manytimesif you don't understand the measure you are voting on, then vote againstit. I'm afraid manyof the residents of Provowill do just that in the coming special election. Wouldn't it be sad if the outcomewere decided on thatbasis rather than onthe merits? WhenI first heard of a move to change the form of governmentfor ProvoCity, I was concerned that we might be going back to the City Managerform again.I was greatly opposed to this. I decidedto getinformation about the proposal so I would better understandit, and be in a position to wisely oppose or support it with somefacts. After carefully studying the materials pro and con I have decidedto fully supportthe proposal for a change of government from the Commission form of city government to the Council/Mayor form of city government. May I encourage everyone to study the materials for and against the proposal. Then actively, in a knowledgeable way, work for or against the proposal. After all, if voting ageinst the change, makesure you havestudied the matter fully and are not voting against it because of lack of knowledge Rep. Richard L. Maxfield Legislative District No. 39 1761 South State Provo Vote ‘No’ On June 23 Editor, Herald Two thousand years ago a great and wise leader said: “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Amid the clamor for change in city government it is not amiss to recite the accomplishments of the city commission and auditor. During the past 20 years, more than $40 milion worth of capital improvements have been completed. Here are some of them: The City Center; the Eldred Center; two power sub stations; new power eneration; seven deep waterwells; five waterstorage reservoirs; anew waste water treatment plant; two provide a better instrument of government for good leaders to workwith. We mustelect a mayorwith the authority to act and elect a council that canlegislate to meet the needs of a growing city. The proposed changes would give the council time to plan effectively for our future Don’t forget to go to the polls on June 23 and vote ‘‘yes”” Sam F. Brewster 230 E. 4070 N parking downtown, Center Street beautification and senior citizen housing also have been provided. All this time the commission and the auditor have kept abreast of the demands of population growth. Education and training opportunities have been provided for department heads and employees with a program that has made Vote ‘Yes’ On June 23 Editor, Herald It has been mygood fortune to have lived in many parts of this country. It has been mylot to have worked with and become acquainted with several formsofcity government Having had experience with the operations of important parts of Provo City’s government, I am convinced now is the right time to im- prove our form of government in order to meet the demandsof the second largest city in Utah. ‘The present city commission are forced to use 90 percent of their time in the myriad of day-to-day problem settling. Therefore, they are drastically limited in planning the future of our growingcity, It is imperative that we now must Provo, Utah Provo Needs Mayor-Council Editor, Herald For many years I have been interested in the city of Provo. Not only do I think it is a good place to live and to be employed, but I have taken an interest in the school system whichalso is excellent Thavegiven many yearsof voluntary service in our schools and I have been able to observe them closely. It has been interesting to see the changes as this city has grown. I have watched the governmentof a small city try desperately to meet the challenge of an expanding city with problemsthesize of a large and growingcity. The old three-commissioner form is not now and will not be able to meetthe problems of Provo during the 80s and 9s. Weneed a mayor with powerto make decisions and a council with courage and vision to enact legislation that will guide Provotoa better and a more prosperous future. We need the proposed Mayor Council form of government. Vote ‘Yes’ on June 23. Clarence F. (Robbie) Robison 1682 W. 900 N Provo Kazooists Find Joy in Article Editor, Herald I am writing on behalf of the entire International Consortium of Kazooists to express our frabjous joy and boundless gratitude for the article of June 9, It is a great pleasure and comfortfor wevirtuosi to know that membersof the fourth estate, in the persona of your most excellent periodical, appreciate the finer thingsin life, and havea true perspective on whatis really important, We believe Dorothy's highly polished article truly grasped and beautifully expressed the noble. s, and ineluctable vision of Hencewe are morethan proud to include Dorthy as a memberof our valiant band. Should anyoneelse on the staff of your illustrious paper desire to join our swelling ranks, you need only ask and instant admission will be yours. We can think of no greater complimentorgift GaryTaylor President International Consortium of Kazooists 5065 W. 1720 N. Provo |