Reformation of Municipal Government
Many have been disputes as to the best mode of Civil Government. Forgetting National and State Governments, the local municipal government deserves more of our attention, scrutiny, and revision. The people and their sacred liberties are guarded by their direct control over those who have been entrusted to preserve, promote, protect their natural and civil rights. Without examining the extensive histories of Governments which have come before, such as The Athenians and their assemblies, or the Romans and their Counsels or Senates; let us evaluate the current structure of Municipal Government of the 21st Century.
We have strayed from the difficulties of Self Governance, which in itself is no easy task, for the sake of convince. We have deposited our scared liberties into the appointed creature, without regard to the dangers of doing so, unaccountable to the people directly. This which I reference is titled; City Manager. This position was once directly voted upon by the people themselves, who’s duties were of fiscal responsibilities, but now has transformed into a serpent which we have allowed to extend far beyond the scope and realm of limited authority.
The City of Milford, I will use as an example to highlight the first argument to a treacherous and dangerous frame of Municipal Government: The Appointed Chief Executive.
Firstly, the elected Mayor relinquishes most of his duties imposed by the direct suffrage of the people, to the City Manager for an indefinite term, as prescribed by the City Charter;
ARTICLE IV : The Manager shall be appointed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the full legal Council for an indefinite term. He shall be selected on the basis of his executive and administrative qualifications.
The Manager shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the Municipality.
(a) He shall have the authority to make all appointments and removals of employees in the departments and offices under his control except as otherwise provided by this Charter.
(b) He shall direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices, and agencies of this Municipality except as otherwise provided by this Charter.
(c) He shall attend all Council meetings unless his absence is reasonably justified or excused by Council and have the right to take part in discussion but shall not vote.
(d) He shall see that all laws, provisions of this Charter and acts of Council, subject to enforcement by him or by officers subject to his direction and supervision, are faithfully executed.
(e) He shall prepare and submit to Council the annual budget estimate and administer the appropriations adopted by Council.
(f) He shall submit to Council and make available to the public a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the Municipality as of the end of each fiscal year.
(g) He shall keep Council informed of the current financial condition and future needs of the Municipality.
(h) He shall make such other reports as Council may require concerning the operation of the Municipal departments, offices and agencies subject to his direction and supervision. In no case shall he report to a single member of Council, but to Council as a whole or to a committee of Council.
(i) He shall perform such other duties as are specified in this Charter and such duties, not inconsistent with this Charter, as may be required by Council. He shall issue licenses and permits, and shall, when authorized by Council, sign all contracts, bonds, and notes on behalf of the Municipality.
(j) He shall make other reports and recommendations to Council concerning the affairs of the Municipality as Council may deem desirable.
(Amended 11-3-81; 11-4-86)
In preponderance of the language framed in the City Charter, the whole Municipality is in the control of one Appointed Official, and being a creature of his own appointment, will be induced by the interest of his own will and pleasure. Should there be in his conduct, unjust action or decision, where could the injury gain redress? Of course, the people are sufficiently protected from overreach and abuse by the suffrage and limited term of their elected officials, and may be held accountable for any misconduct in their duties, and can be removed by constituents directly, at any time. HOWEVER, when such authority is prescribed to an appointed individual for an unlimited amount of time, removable only by an internal vote of a 2/3rd consensus, without regard to the People directly, it is plausible that these abuses may be sustained.
It should be agreed by all that, an appointed Chief Executive should have as limited authority over the Natural and Civil Rights of the people as possible, if not any. Electing those to draft our laws, we relinquish our own power directly to form those laws, but to then give those we elect the ability deposit the power of their duties into the hands of another, is CRIMINAL, and should be detested by every citizen. For Council to appoint a Chief Executive, is to give away the power which they have no right to do; as the consent of power is imposed by the direct suffrage of the Governed. This is contrary to the longstanding history of American Self Governance and his dangerous in every way possible. We must collectively reject this form of Government.
As it stands currently, there is no Age Requirement for the appointed Chief Executive. Age is of question as to the wisdom, experience, and qualifications to be Chief Executive. Is it appropriate to allow someone to be in a position of such great power ,who has not yet attained the age of 35? This of course is up for dispute, none the less, important to consider. Further more, is it appropriate to permit an appointed Chief Executive, who has no connection or residency requirement to the Municipality which he serves? To allow such a vague and broad range of appointee possibilities, is dangerous to the Customs, Traditions, and Heritage of the People residing in the Jurisdiction of the Municipality. To allow a stranger to oversee the rights and welfare of a self governing people, is in my opinion, dangerous to the people and their Natural Rights. It is apparent that the current frame of Municipal Government is structured as a business entity, however, to raise and collect taxes, is a recognized founding principle of Government, but to then extend the scope of collecting revenue beyond the permitted collection of taxes, in my opinion, distracts and muddles the mission of Self Governance, which ultimately priorities revenue and capital gain over the prioritization of the welfare of the Citizens themselves, and allows for favoritism and abuse of public expenditure.