Be Heard on Charter Review

I thought this letter to the editor in the Daily News presented an interesting perspective on the task facing the Charter Review Commission. The letter writer essentially argued that the commission should issue a statement of what elements of the city charter will be reviewed and, I suppose, why they're reviewed.

Perhaps such a proactive statement would work to get the conversation moving forward, however, I fear it would just as likely establish a position that Charter Review commission members might be forced to defend.

As this stage, I think the most prudent and practical step would require the voters of the city to attend Wednesday's public hearing to state THEIR concerns about the city's current form of governement. Voters need to make their own voices heard first to give the Commission members a foundation and framework to work within.

At some point the commission will need to take a stand and present a document that represents the majority--and I hope the entirety--of the memebers' opinion. But right now the commission needs to hear what voters feel are the shortcomings of our current government--if they feel there are any--and then act on those statements.

The first opportunity for the public to speak to these issues will be Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at City Hall.