Sign Here Please

Perhaps John Moak did the city a favor by pursuing the job in Winthrop. Not because he'd be leaving the city, although no doubt some will feel that way, but because his decision shines a big bright light on the structure of our city government.

In case you missed it, a group of citizens have undertaken an ambitious effort to review the city's charter to see if a change is needed. At this point, the group is just collecting signatures to put the simplest of questions on the Nov. ballot: Should a committee be formed to do such a review. (Paraphrasing of course.)

Moak's applying for the Winthrop job, which pays twice what he currently makes, raises the question of compensation for the city's chief executive. But that's only one question, and a I dare say one of the less interesting ones.

The more compelling question is should we even have a mayor or would the city be better off with a manager or administration making the day-to-day business decisions with broad direction from the city council.

Or, for those people eager to retain the ability to directly hire and fire the chief executive, should a mayor be given a four-year term instead of two, giving them more time to manage and requiring less campaigning.

The group put together a nice primer and published it in the Daily News two weeks ago. Read it here. I'll try to link to additional material as it's available.

A few months back someone asked me why I was in favor of a charter change. The honest answer is, I'm not certain that I am. I do like the fact a mayor answers directly to me. However, at times I wonder whether I might actually have more influence over a town city manager by holding our city councilors' feet to the fire. I have a lot of questions that I hope a review might answer.

But I am in favor of taking a look at the current structure.

Anyway, I'll be posting on this again. The real reason I'm writing is to say that I'll be collecting signatures as well. If you're interested in signing a petition shoot me an email and I'll make sure you get the chance.

Own Your Apathy

I'm getting quite the kick out West Newbury. In case you missed it, voters unseated a sitting selectmen with a write-in campaign. Check the news article for details and names because frankly they don't matter to me.

The point is all I care about.

Elections matter. Even those that are supposedly mundane and not worth attention. In fact, I'll broaden that. Government matters. Your government matters and it warrants just the smallest bit of attention and--dare I say it--participation.

The West Newbury election is an extreme example. But enough voters in the town staged a write-in campaign to kick out a selectman who, along with his supporters, thought he was running unopposed so enough of them didn't bother to show up. (I'm assuming the selectman voted for himself.)

Now, those same feckless faithful want a do-over, arguing that they didn't know there was a race. Had they known, the argument goes, they would have performed their civic duty and actually voted.

Too bad. Too late.

This is an outlier for sure, but this mind-set isn't exclusive to West Newbury or Newburyport. Too many people don't pay attention to government until they're smacked in the face with the results, and by then it's often too late.

So, instead of calling for do-overs or unfairly charging public officials with malfeasance, people should just own the consequences of their apathy. Or they can step up to the plate and get informed and involved.

Sweet Christmas

Kudos to the Daily News for effective use of the Web site in breaking the news about Mayor Moak's seeking a job in Winthrop. (Hell of a commute...man.)

Haven't seen a potential game-changer like this since Lisa Mead took the job with John Kerry back in 1997.

And yes, Gillian Swart beat me to the punch. She's got all the links. Serves me right for working right upon until 5 p.m....or 4:40ish pm on a Friday.

BTW, if you're looking for any indignation, I'm all out. The guy has got a chance to double his salary (and pension) he might as well give it a shot. Still, I have a hunch some people will be upset.

Shocker.