Under our current mayor-council form of government the greatest power is vested in the mayor. The council has little power other than to approve the budget.

Only the mayor has the power to direct city business. This is representative government at its worst.

That is the reason why a majority of smaller to midsize cities in Washington and the U.S. have adopted the council-manager form of government.There is another reason to prefer the council-manager form.

This allows the city to hire an experienced professional to handle the day-to-day business of the city.

This manager is not a politician but he or she carries out the policies of the council members who are elected by the voters. This form of government is far more representative and balanced than one that vests all power in a mayor who may or may not be qualified to run the city.

Some have suggested that this form is more expensive. However, the mayor has already hired a city administrator to conduct the city’s business.

A city manager would replace the current administrator or it could be the same person. Either way, the point is that he or she would carry out the policies of the elected council, not just the agenda of the mayor only.

Some have stated that the mayor-council form has served the city well for many years. This may be true, but the city is changing dramatically.

This is our opportunity to adopt a form of government that is equipped to deal with this change. A ‘yes’ vote on Proposition 1 will ensure representative government by preventing all the administrative power being vested in a single politician.

Charles Kemman

Black Diamond