Monday, February 22, 2010
Let's talk about the idea of abandoning the post system of electing St. Marys city councilmen in favor of by geographically defined districts of
roughly equal populations.
What are y'all's thoughts?
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11 comments:
So, what should we make of the complete absence of comments about voting by district?
Okay, here are a few thoughts. First, let me say that I have long advocated going to districts with the mayor elected at-large. I was just thinking about how to make the idea appealing to folks. One way (unfortunately) isd to point out to some of you class warriors that districting would more than likely put all of Osprey Cove into one district. That way, they could only vote for mayor and one councilman. Yeah, I thought some of you would like that. Dito for the downtowners - espoecially the DMA. I like that. The ability of large churches to successfully install anti-demon rum candidates would be thwarted. The ability to pit the old guard against the damned outsiders would be severely hampered. Positively, if you had a problem in your neighborhood, you would know precisely who to call. Moreover, your disdtrict councilman would be way more motivated to look into your problem than thney are under the current system. Your thoughts?
We are nit picking again. all this, along with plurality vs. majority, misses the bst solution. Consolidate all governmental units in Camden County into one.
I like the idea of voting districts. I think this should be a separate item on the same referendum ballot. I foresee some heavy duty fighting as the powers try to gerrymander the districts to favor themselves or their causes.
I think you could list pro and cons of each system. Jay makes a good point regarding a "block" vote from Osprey or downtown being disrupted. However, when a part of town was misled, as they were annexed, the residents were able to bring about wholesale change (to the council). I also feel like I get better representation (im a Kingsland resident) by having council members at large because I want them all to feel like my problem or concern is theirs as well. Interesting topic...
As to your last full sentence, let me submit for your consideration my contention that election at-large produces exactly the opposite effect: because no one council member is specifically responsible for constituent services in your neighborhood, they feel that they have a far better chance of avoiding any adverse consequences from ignoring your particular needs.
That could very well be the case for some or even a majority of the elected. Do you give any thought/concern to a "pork spending" mentality? Or worry that elections would be centered around the rhetorical question of "what did this council member do/get for our district"? Would council members be more likely to approve a project in one district that wasnt especially needed to garner support for a project in their own? Mind you I am not suggesting in the least that its a foregone conclusion these things would happen-just curious...
In a city the geographic size of say, Jacksinville, that could be and has been a problem (the Jax councilwoman who used her discretionary funds to erect a statue of heself in her district springs to mind.) However, in St. Marys, I really do not forsee a problem (witht the notable exception of the downtown district) with constituents coming to their representative with their hands out for new expendiutres on "pork." I see it more as knowing who to call about the pothole or the stinking lift station in your neighborhood.
Jay, do you agree that this is should be put to a referendum vote?
Absolutely. Might as well put the two issues before the voters at he same time (as separate questions, of course).
Great, I feel the same way....
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