Dear editor,
The public has been asked to comment on a proposed charter ordinance changing our City Council elections to four-year staggered terms. I suggest a different model: Reduce the council to four members plus a mayor, serving three-year staggered terms.
With the election in April 2013, the council would be reduced to five members. The two council candidates with the most votes would each serve a three-year term. The two council candidates with the next highest votes would each serve a two-year term and the elected mayor would serve a 1-year term.
Thereafter, all terms would be three years, resulting in staggered terms. Elections would occur annually in a three-year cycle, with two council members elected in years one and two, followed by the mayor every third year. The new council would be comprised of one council member per ward, plus a mayor.
At a recent City Council meeting, Councilman Kendall Callahan was quoted as saying, “A group of four members will work much more efficiently than eight,” in reference to why council members should be allowed to meet informally rather than in formal committees.
While I strongly disagree that city business should be conducted “informally” outside of the public eye, I do believe that Iola would be better served with a smaller council. Our current council has the ability to make this change through charter ordinance.
If you agree with my proposal for reducing the council size and having three-year staggered terms, let your voice be heard. Write to the Forum. You don’t even have to compose a letter. Just say, “I agree with Jacki” and sign your name! (The Register also requires an address and phone number.) You can email it to [email protected], or deliver by mail or in person.
Respectfully,
Jacki Chase
Iola, Kan.
