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With a proposal to
create a position for a president of town council, discussion have
arisen concerning the “structure” of the council--whether it is a
“strong mayor, weak council” set up, or a “strong council, weak mayor”
set up.
After a
discussion with recorder
Roger
Propst
last month, it occurred to me that it doesn’t really matter. Either way,
for any decision to pass, three votes from council members are needed.
Propst
reminded me of this, and I realized that for the past few years,
citizens have been hitting the mayor with complaints, suggestions and
agendas. Perhaps the citizens were placing too much on the mayor’s
shoulders, simply “going around” the council.
The
decision-making power lies with the council. To “rally” for action and
for specific decisions, one should actually approach council members and
not the mayor. The mayor, who doesn’t get to vote unless there is a tie,
isn’t responsible for decisions for the town.
No matter
what the “structure” of the council is, the council members are the ones
who decide whether they want to lead or to follow. The council can
decide if they want to be proactive or if they want to be dependent upon
the mayor’s leadership.
Frankly, I
see no need for a council president. The request for such a position, in
my humble opinion, reflects the need for strong leadership and
communication within the council, and nothing more. It shows me there is
a desire within to shift some responsibilities and delegate tasks.
Why create a
new position to handle tasks which should be the responsibility of all
those involved? Besides, how long will it be before the council
president decides he (or she) deserves more pay than the others?
The whole
thing seems divisive to me--created under the purpose to enhance
communication and cooperation. The secondary purpose lies in the fact
that a retiring office worker may not be replaced next year--but that is
a decision of the council, which has not been yet made.
We’ve all heard the
sayings, “too many chiefs and not enough Indians” or “too many cooks
spoil the broth.” With democracy, it is the multitude of cooks that
gives a meal balance. In my mind, all council members are chiefs for the
resident Indians of the town. That is why they were elected.
Do we need two leaders
for five people? Or do we need five people to lead? Grantsville citizens
should share their thoughts with the council members. After all, they
are the ones who vote.
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