from The Day, 12/11/2009, unsigned editorial:
NL council starts fast
We were glad to see the new City Council act quickly in forming a Charter Revision Commission and giving it the task of drafting charter changes that would replace the current city manager system in New London with a government led by a directly elected mayor.
It is also gratifying to see strong support on the council for making the change to a mayoral chief executive, a restructuring that this newspaper has been advocating for several years. A mayor with the power to draft budgets, veto council resolutions and appoint people to key administrative positions is necessary to provide the kind of focused leadership New London needs to progress.
Ultimately, of course, it will be up to voters to decide what kind of government structure best suits their city. And that is all we and the new council ask for – a clear up or down vote on the proposal. In March 2007 voters approved the change to a mayoral system, but the turnout was too low to validate the results of the special election. In November 2008 voters narrowly rejected a generically worded question that lumped the proposal together with some unpopular amendments.
The council appears to agree that a question on changing to a mayor system should stand alone. And holding a vote during a general election would assure a greater turnout.
The commission can, and should, consider other charter changes. Much of the language in the charter is outdated. The last revision commission identified many archaic provisions, making the work of the new commission easier. The council also wants the commission to examine the duties of the Board of Finance and consider term limits for the council and Board of Education. Indeed, a stronger finance board may make voters more comfortable with the idea of giving greater power to a mayor. And while we do not agree with term limits – since voters can already limit the terms of any elected official – it is a topic worthy of consideration.
We’d also like to praise Mayor Rob Pero, recently appointed by fellow councilors, for taking a nonpartisan approach in forming the commission. With potentially four votes in his pocket – his own, two fellow Republicans and Green Party member John Russell (elected with the cross-endorsement of the Republicans) – Mayor Pero could have sought to dictate the appointments. Instead, each member of the council will select someone to sit on the seven-member Charter Revision Commission.
New London citizens should feel excited about this great start.
Tags: john russell, nl greens