Letter to the editor: Choosing a different form of government
To the editor:
Too often we head to the polls knowing we are going to elect the lesser of two evils. On Nov. 5 we can elect the best of two betters!
Across the globe city and county officials are appointed by central governments, dictators or, worse, drug gangs or cartels. Hapless citizens have so say and no redress for corruption or unsafe conditions.
We’re blessed to be able to decide our form of government and elect our leaders. For about 70 years, Lawrence has had a commission form, with five commissioners elected at large by all voters to represent the entire city and who, in turn, elect a mayor for a one-year term on a rotating basis. But, we have outgrown that model and for the health and sustainability of our city we need to switch to a council form, of four districts, with each electing their own counselor; supplemented by two at-large counselors elected by all voters and a mayor independently elected for a four-year term. One losing candidate in the last election would have most likely won in an election with districts.
I served three terms as a city councilman in Indiana and highly recommend that form. Presently, commission candidates with more time and resources can get elected and, regardless of their residence location, they might concentrate their attention, scarce dollars, tax breaks and abatements on downtown instead of developing safe neighborhoods with low taxes. For more responsive and accountable city government, I am voting for the counsel form.
Graham Kreicker,
Lawrence