Though the city’s Charter Revision Commission is still moving forward with its exploration of the idea of shifting to a city manager form of government, the proposal faces long odds should it ever reach the City Council.
Ultimately, for the plan to reach the ballot in November for voters to consider, it will take support from at least four member of the council.
But, based on their comments during the campaign, four of the seven members – Mayor Art Ward and Councilors Frank Nicastro, Cliff Block and Mike Rimcoski – are unlikely to back a switch to a city manager style of governance.
Only two members, Councilors Ken Cockayne and Craig Minor, can be more or less counted on to back the plan. Councilor Kevin McCauley said he’s willing to consider it.
Nicastro, a former mayor, was the most outspoken in opposition.
Nicastro said that there is "no way in God's name" should Bristol make the change because a manager "has to play more politics than any mayor would have to play" due to his need to keep the council's backing."Let the mayor do his job. If he's not doing his job, replace him," Nicastro said.
The strongest supporter of a manager among the council was Cockayne, a freshman and one of two Republicans on the panel.
Cockayne said he’d like to see a city manager who could carry out the council’s policies in a bipartisan way.
He said that elected officials would “continue to develop policy that is responsive to citizens’ needs,” but a manager would bring apolitical professional to administration.
Minor said that he favors “the concept of a city manager."
Minor said the city essentially hires “an amateur CEO every two years” to run what amounts to a $165 million business. He said that no private company would ever do the same.
The other likely supporter is McCauley, in his second-term, who said he’s willing to consider the idea seriously.
Ward said that he is also willing to consider the change. But, he said, he doesn't see a reason to make it.
Ward said that the questions about hiring a city manager deserve study, but he’ll have to be convinced. Rimcoski expressed the same sentiment.
Switching to a city manager system isn’t needed, said Rimcoski and Block.
"It's adding another layer of government,” Block said.
*******
Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
6 comments:
Sounds like Nicastro wants to be mayor again.
Politics as usual!!
I don't like the idea. Kudos to the idea's opponents on the charter revision committee.
To the 235 poster:
It's fine that you don't like the idea, I hope you get a chance to vote no. I'll probally join you, however this is not about the politicans.
Its about us having the right to vote on our form of government.
I'm tired of the politicans, like Stortz, Rimcoski, Nicastro and Ward telling me what I want or what I need. They work for us and we ought to have the right to let them know what we want.
3:46
They aren't telling you: those that support the idea are working to give the VOTERS A CHOICE!
Those that oppose this idea. or other ideas, are denying you that opportunity.
By the way, you no longer are paying Stortz.
Again, Nicastro has it bass ackwards.
The main value of a manager, besides the professional expertise, is the continuity it would create, as well as a higher level of confidence in the business world. It would make it easier to attract business, help them grow.
Unforunately for those politically motivated, it would reduce their day to day influence and interference.
That is probably what has Frank worried.
Give it some time Ken will suddenly change his position ,as he did so very often during the campaign.
Post a Comment