I'm with Erik that it's time to raise these questions.
Remember that the key to the point I raised about this yesterday was to do
this in two steps.
Before changing or merging any specific functions, put one elected body in
charge of the city, park and library functions. The City Council currently
oversees the MCDA and under this new plan it would also oversee the parks
and libraries. (Merging authority before merging functions would eliminate
the turf battles and power struggles that could cripple a free, open debate
about the best way to deliver services. It also allows park board and
library board members to run for the new more powerful council...potentially
bringing even more fresh perspectives to City Hall.)
Then let the discussion about services begin without power plays and with
new perspectives.
Checks and balances may sound nice but at the end of the day we either trust
the decision making of our elected officials or vote them out. I should
also say that if the financial state of the city is as challenged as we have
been hearing, the taxpayers of this city deserve real solutions that are
more than tinkering around the edges. Let's at least start to get these
ideas out there now so we can deal with them before we are in a
crisis.....hopefully instead of.
R.T. Rybak
Ward 11.
