Opposition to Proposed Amendments to the City Charter

We, the undersigned, strongly oppose a proposal that would give unfettered power to the Mayor. The proposed amendments are a threat to our democratic system of government. This proposal would silence the voice of the people by taking power away from our elected area representatives and allowing one person (the mayor) to:

* Adopt a budget plan that would spend taxpayer money without consensus from our elected area representatives

* Appoint anyone the mayor wants regardless of qualifications to serve as head, director, supervisor or staff of a department. The confirmation process for appointments is unfair and undemocratic because it allows the mayor to cast the deciding vote if the council does not reach consensus on his appointments - clearly eliminating checks and balances in the confirmation process.

* Not be required to attend city council meetings and not be subjected to public comment and accessibility

* Be the only elected official in the city with the authority to vote twice on matters – once during council proceedings, and then again as mayor, essentially eliminating checks and balances in the system

This proposal was drafted without any community input and there is no evidence to support that amending the city charter is a community priority. Since it is unclear whether the proposed amendments are legal, the city may be forced to spend taxpayer money to defend the amendments in court, with no guarantee of success.

In summary, this proposal would remove a system of democratic and participatory government and replace it with a system open to cronyism, patronage, favoritism and pay for play politics. It would silence the voice of the people, is not a community priority, and was not brought forth by the community.