Wednesday, January 17, 2001
|
Wednesday, January 17, 2001 |
|
Tennant explains his vote on city clerk At the last city council meeting, council voted 4-1 to appoint City Manager Jim Basinger city clerk while the city charter is reviewed. The role of the city clerk is among those things being reviewed. I was in the majority of that 4-1 vote, and have taken a bit of criticism, including a barb from Citizen editor Cal Beverly, for my vote. I'd like to very briefly explain my rationale. Currently, the city clerk reports to the mayor and council, according to our charter. It is the sole position that does not ultimately report to our city manager. This has created some internal conflicts (to say the least) in terms of a sound management structure, and I believe a review of that policy is in order not necessarily a change, but a review. Council was informed by the city attorney's representative, Marty Jones, that we must appoint a city clerk at the first meeting in January according to our charter. I was in favor of tabling the appointment until we could review and discuss the charter as it related to the city clerk position, but we were not afforded that option. As an interim stopgap measure, it made sense to me to appoint Jim Basinger city clerk, and allow the functions of the position to be carried out by heretofore city clerk Nancy Faulkner. This was not only to "smooth over" some internal management conflicts, but to assure Ms. Faulkner would receive fair treatment in her city employment status should the charter eventually be changed. Bottom line is we have two subjects here: the role of the city clerk in city government and the potential changing of the charter. I am NOT in favor of changing our form of government on a whim, of course, but reasonable people need to understand that there is no harm is discussing possible changes, so long as the changes are for the benefit of the citizenry and not to squelch debate, unjustifiably consolidate power, or lessen open government. Indeed, Mr. Beverly, I very much pride myself on being a champion of looking out for the interests of ordinary citizens, and last week's vote was indeed on a "thinking night." And my thinking will always be to do what is fair, right, honest, and good, and to stand by the convictions and will of the people. But, with nearly every vote, somebody is going to be mad because necessarily somebody is on the short end of the stick. Just remember, the jury is still out on this particular stick. Dan Tennant Peachtree City Councilman DanTennantPTC@aol.com
|
||