#1 2009-08-05 15:20:21
I just reread last night's recap of the meeting to see if anyone posted about this. A mention of "mayoral" method of government was posted, but I heard Jane say that good things were going on and she said the Charter Review Committee is working on ways to change our form of government.
Am I confused? By the word "review" one would not get the idea that the committee was in fact, not really reviewing the old charter to update and refresh it etc. but have basically thrown the charter out and are looking to change town government in Wareham.
This is not the first time this subject has been brought up. I watched all the interviews for that committee --masochistic, but true. In any event, several people put on the committee had admitted to only ever attending the last two or three town meetings. They complained about how bad those meetings were and that change was needed. Well, we all know why those meetings were bad. John D's behavior and the horrific arguments over the budget, the entire fin com quitting, etc. etc. Anyone going to town meeting in the good old days recalls the civility and respect that was the mode of operation.
Several of these same people interviewed admitted they had never read the current charter either. Ok. Take a deep breath. How long would it have taken to do your homework before your interview? Am I being hateful there or just honest?
The two or three people who were interviewed that were considered the power elite bastards in town, but had been to town meetings for 20+ years each and who could quote you the charter, were not put on the committee.
Instead, our "throw away the charter committee" will soon be presenting us with alternative governments. The reasoning that only a few people show up to town meeting and they get to decide how all the money is spent etc. is flawed.
I view it this way---the people who show up and spend 2-3 nights in what has now become a hell hole, are the only people in town who CARE ENOUGH TO SHOW UP. Why shouldn't we have our say? Better to leave it to one person? A mayor? Or a town council---6 people or whatever? This will be coming before us soon, so we need to be on the alert.
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#2 2009-08-05 15:55:59
The absolute worse thing you can do is go to a Mayor form of government.
It will be the final straw, and Wareham will be gone forever.
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#3 2009-08-05 19:00:59
Just so everyone knows, the Charter Review Committee voted at it's FIRST meeting to change the form of government. Johnny Boy needs a job.
I agree with Dan, a Mayor is the absolute worste thiing that could happen here.
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#4 2009-08-05 19:23:53
Zoo, do you happen to know when this committee will be ready to give its report? It seems like it was formed quite some time ago. Surely it doesn't take that long to give its final report if at the first meeting, without looking at--or reading even--the charter, they threw it out.
When and how often do they meet? I think the town has to do the review every 10 years or around that according to the very charter they are tossing in the trash heap.
Don't forget, such a change in town government would have to be voted at town meeting. Then I think it needs special legislation. All this would take some time---and since there will be a change on the bos come April--that's called positive thinking-- perhaps we won't need a different form of government.
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#5 2009-08-05 19:26:49
I notice that the Charter Review Committee discusses NOTHING but a Mayor/Council, Town Admin/Council form of government.
Why don't they go back to the basics and look at the SUCCESSFUL Selectman/Town Meeting form of government.
It's not the form of government that always needs to be changed...it's the people that are elected officials that need to be changed.
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#6 2009-08-05 19:29:10
Molly,
The Town Charter calls for the Charter Review Committee to be appointed on the years that end in 9.
It will be 2019 before a new committee is appointed.
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