If you want to catch up on what is going on, read these two columns:
August 3, 2014 Anti-Strong Mayor Movement
July 5, 2014 Strong Mayor Movement On The Fast Track
Tom TaylorI am writing to say that I am in favor of a strong mayor form of government. I am a 38 year resident of the city, a homeowner ,and taxpayer. I am not a political consultant,lobbyist, etc. Just an ordinary citizen who would like to see more interest in city elections and issues to the forefront. I have worked for 3 city managers,McGrath,Mulford, and Hoover.i also worked for a strong mayor in Waltham,Ma for 8yrs and also brought up in that system. People criticize the politics in the strong mayor form of gov’t ,but there is more politics involved in City Manager form of Gov’t as each decision Is to please the council and mayor and not made public.i have not missed an election vote in 38 years, and have seen the decrease in voters where now you don’t have to wait in line. There are no issues out there to excite the public to want to vote such as a strong mayor.i bet 9 out of 10 people you ask would not know the name of the City Manager but would if you had a strong mayor.In regards to leadership the mayor would have good leaders to run the various departments and be able to focus on the larger issues. The key is to get the electorate excited and want to vote, as City Manager form is not doing that now.
