We the people of Iola voted almost one year ago to change from a three-man commission form of government to a council form of government with eight council people and a mayor. Since that time, the current three-man commission has been discussing using a charter ordinance to essentially overturn that vote.
Two of the city commissioners and a handful of Iola’s power brokers have made it very clear they do not want to change to eight and a mayor. Why do they not want to accept the overwhelming vote of the people? I believe this is the reason. This handful of Iola power brokers, and most of you know who they are, do not want to lose their power and control. Think about it. If only three commissioners need to be influenced, that would be much easier than trying to influence eight council people and a mayor.
There are many advantages to having an eight-person council and a mayor. If we have eight and a mayor, the council meetings would most likely be held in the evenings. This would give the working people of Iola a chance to attend the meetings and also a chance to serve on the council.
I think more people in-volved in the decision-making process will bring a broader variety of backgrounds, varying opinions, and a better representation of the community as a whole.
A plus of this format is communication. As it is now, no two members of the city commission, that is, a majority, can legally discuss city affairs outside of a publicized meeting. While this protects citizens from possible secretive dealings, it also can inhibit the spawning of ideas that naturally takes place when people gather. Iola needs for more people to be involved, not less.
Now the current three-man commission is asking us (AGAIN) to go to the polls and vote on this issue. This should not be necessary, after all, we voted 667 to 343 to make the change to eight council people and a mayor almost a year ago. With that said, we need to go to the First Baptist Church at Carpenter and Cottonwood and vote for eight and a mayor again.
We the people need to send another clear message that we want eight and a mayor. Let’s not allow a handful of Iola power brokers to shut us down.
Please go this April 6, First Baptist Church and vote for eight and a mayor.
Ken Rowe,
Iola, Kan.
