Dear Editor,
It’s time to rejoice and participate in a new era for Iola. We are witness to an historical time. Many of our citizens have worked to create a representative system of government for Iola over the past two years. We’re replacing a commission with a council.
We’ve become so accustomed to referring to our city government as a commission that many don’t understand the significant difference in making the change.
Let’s use our state government as an inappropriate but similar example. Commissions work as city bosses, placing limitations on a city administrator’s authority. At the state level, the commission equates to the governor’s authority. A three-man governor’s office won’t work at the state level, but it was the best form of city administration when Iola was a toddler.
Our city administrator makes good decisions but much of the time those decisions must be approved by the commission. The city administrator should be able to manage city operations on a day-to-day basis. She (and her successors) will be directed by charter ordinance and policy set by the council, and will be subject to council oversight. The council function is similar to our state legislature with the distinct difference that a city administrator cannot veto a council decision.
Putting this all together will be a trying and thoughtful process.
There are state laws that govern some policy but many policies are by the will of the council. Therefore, we need eight councilpersons chosen with a variety of experience. People who are willing to listen to all proposals and gather together on those that do the best for Iola. Pet political thought should be left at home on meeting night, and its removal possibly added to the oath of office.
The mayor will preside at meetings and have no vote except in the case of a tie. Otherwise, the position can vary from a very narrow responsibility to a rather broad authority. There is legislative guidance on this but the council has a good deal of latitude in designating mayoral powers. Under any circumstance the mayor should have the power to appoint two-member committees that glean information to be presented to the city administrator and the mayor for ultimate use by the council. One such committee should maintain close contact with Iola Industries. Others would be appointed on an as-needed basis.
And then we should understand that each of our four wards will vote on a two-member committee dedicated to representing the residents of their respective ward; but also understand that representation of a ward does not mean our representatives shall place greater emphasis on the ward than on the city as a whole. A great weight rests on each council member’s shoulders, but a weight that is necessary.
Using the Jan. 6 edition of the Iola Register for reference, we now have one candidate for mayor; three council candidates for Ward 1; one council candidate for Ward 2; one council candidate for Ward 3 (but I heard there is another candidate strongly considering); and four council candidates for Ward 4.
We need more and I’m sure they are in the background, just keeping us guessing.
Please get into the city clerk’s office and commit. If it makes any difference, consider that once the very considerable amount of initial effort is completed, we will quite possibly need only one meeting a month. That’s better than no reward at all for your time, but the real reward goes to the citizens of your city.
Ray Shannon,
Iola, Kan.
