The Hoboken Tax Reform Coalition
Is It Time To Change Hoboken's System Of Government?
The mayoral election should be decided soon, but the next objective we may want to consider is to get a referendum to change Hoboken's system of government from Mayor/Council to Council/Manager. I like this idea because it is much more difficult to corrupt 5 council people then one Mayor. Attached is a letter that Helen Hirsch wrote to H411 back in January 2009 that advocates very well for the idea. I would think it would be great if we do this, and would be willing to volunteer time to make this a reality. What does everyone else think?
1/23/2009
Helen Hirsch
Hoboken does not need another monarch
The country is rejoicing in the changes we are looking forward to; much of the world is holding its breath, hoping for spill-over benefits of change. Men and women of all political parties and persuasions, by joining together and setting aside deep-rooted ideologies have helped to accomplish this change with the fervent hope that the lives of all will benefit.
In the US, the philosophy and behavior of the out-going leaders have caused pain at most levels. In Hoboken the philosophy and behavior of the current administration have also caused pain to many while rewarding others.
A number of individuals in the City have recently come forward suggesting change. More will surely follow. Each leader will claim to have the cure for Hoboken’s problems and torch-carriers to spread their words. Does any of them have a resume indicating training or life-experience to bolster those claims?
Hoboken does not need another monarch, tied to a political party’s power-brokers, and with virtually unfettered power to appoint subordinates with no applicable credentials, arrange for unwarranted salary increases to insure support at the ballot box, throw trifling gifts to those already enjoying protection and providing unquestioning allegiance while depriving services to those who disagree. The Mayor/Council form of government encourages corruption and the culture of “what’s in it for me?” Continuing in this mind-set does not encourage efficient solution of Hoboken’s problems. Only by setting aside strictly personal considerations and behaving as a unified, cooperative community — witness the behavior of so many in the safe evacuation of Flight 1549 — substituting “we” for “I”, can Hoboken stand tall — a true community. I suggest, therefore, that the many community-oriented individuals who are circulating petitions or suggesting litigation or asking for money to pursue litigation, forced into those activities because the present government prefers combat with its citizens rather than service, join forces and redirect their efforts to requesting that a referendum, changing the City’s government to the Council/Manager form, be put on the June ballot. There is still time; only 8,000 signatures are necessary.
“The Council-Manager Form of government is the most widely used form of government in the United States, despite limited use in New Jersey. The National Municipal League endorsed the Council-Manager form of government as the most desirable form of local government in the United States. To thousands of communities scattered all over the United States, the Council-Manager form has brought professional management that would have been unavailable under any other known governmental system… The most important (idea) one was that politics and government could be separated.”
Council members hire a manager, based on resume; renew contracts based on performance. They would continue to serve residents of their respective wards while determining policy for the City as a whole. The manager would manage the money and oversee the fulfillment of the City’s needs — mind the store. Wake up, Hoboken, and join the “Obama” revolution.
1/23/2009
Helen Hirsch
Hoboken does not need another monarch
The country is rejoicing in the changes we are looking forward to; much of the world is holding its breath, hoping for spill-over benefits of change. Men and women of all political parties and persuasions, by joining together and setting aside deep-rooted ideologies have helped to accomplish this change with the fervent hope that the lives of all will benefit.
In the US, the philosophy and behavior of the out-going leaders have caused pain at most levels. In Hoboken the philosophy and behavior of the current administration have also caused pain to many while rewarding others.
A number of individuals in the City have recently come forward suggesting change. More will surely follow. Each leader will claim to have the cure for Hoboken’s problems and torch-carriers to spread their words. Does any of them have a resume indicating training or life-experience to bolster those claims?
Hoboken does not need another monarch, tied to a political party’s power-brokers, and with virtually unfettered power to appoint subordinates with no applicable credentials, arrange for unwarranted salary increases to insure support at the ballot box, throw trifling gifts to those already enjoying protection and providing unquestioning allegiance while depriving services to those who disagree. The Mayor/Council form of government encourages corruption and the culture of “what’s in it for me?” Continuing in this mind-set does not encourage efficient solution of Hoboken’s problems. Only by setting aside strictly personal considerations and behaving as a unified, cooperative community — witness the behavior of so many in the safe evacuation of Flight 1549 — substituting “we” for “I”, can Hoboken stand tall — a true community. I suggest, therefore, that the many community-oriented individuals who are circulating petitions or suggesting litigation or asking for money to pursue litigation, forced into those activities because the present government prefers combat with its citizens rather than service, join forces and redirect their efforts to requesting that a referendum, changing the City’s government to the Council/Manager form, be put on the June ballot. There is still time; only 8,000 signatures are necessary.
“The Council-Manager Form of government is the most widely used form of government in the United States, despite limited use in New Jersey. The National Municipal League endorsed the Council-Manager form of government as the most desirable form of local government in the United States. To thousands of communities scattered all over the United States, the Council-Manager form has brought professional management that would have been unavailable under any other known governmental system… The most important (idea) one was that politics and government could be separated.”
Council members hire a manager, based on resume; renew contracts based on performance. They would continue to serve residents of their respective wards while determining policy for the City as a whole. The manager would manage the money and oversee the fulfillment of the City’s needs — mind the store. Wake up, Hoboken, and join the “Obama” revolution.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jack Dawkins on -
I don't like the idea of 5 people choosing the Mayor (business manager is defacto mayor). I do, however, believe in democracy, so I would probably sign a petition.
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Permalink Reply by BJ on
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1 person chooses the business manager now, and a hundred other positions. In this scenario the business manager would not have any real power since every major decision would be made by the council itself. Also, the business manager's performance could be measured and used as the basis for his compensation. This system would separate the politics from the business of running the city.
Jack Dawkins said:I don't like the idea of 5 people choosing the Mayor (business manager is defacto mayor). I do, however, believe in democracy, so I would probably sign a petition.
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Permalink Reply by Jack Dawkins on
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I like the idea of separating politics from running the city, but I don't see how this is the solution....or if there is a solution. The suggestion that 5 people can't be (or are less likely to be) corrupted is silly...foolish. I just don't get the logic of that. And doesn't this end advise and consent? Is there some idea that all 5 would be so called "reformers?" Whatever that means? I guess I would just need to hear all the pros & cons before deciding. I simply don't see the difference, just less people involved.
BJ said:1 person chooses the business manager now, and a hundred other positions. In this scenario the business manager would not have any real power since every major decision would be made by the council itself. Also, the business manager's performance could be measured and used as the basis for his compensation. This system would separate the politics from the business of running the city.
Jack Dawkins said:I don't like the idea of 5 people choosing the Mayor (business manager is defacto mayor). I do, however, believe in democracy, so I would probably sign a petition.
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Permalink Reply by BJ on
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I agree that with a council manager form of government you can still get a majority of corrupt councilman, and end up with mostly the same thing, but I feel it is just less likely because each councilman must represent his/her ward constituents interests. Also, outside special interests would find it easier to throw their support behind one mayor and his slate, then having to support councilman from each ward in order to get a pliable majority.
The system that we have now puts to much power in one persons hands which I believe lead to a lot of the recent problems we have had. I have lived in towns with this form of government and they tend to have less politics and patronage in the running of their government. That being said, I would most likely have a different view of this if we had 6 status quo councilman and Dawn Zimmer as mayor.
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Permalink Reply by Jack Dawkins on
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BJ: thanks for your reasoned response. I guess I'll give it some hard thought should it become a referendum.
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