Thanks to Speakin Out News and to our many dedicated readers. I appreciate Speakin Out News allowing me to write my column in their paper as it keeps me stress free.
Our weather has been crazy lately as it is sunny one day and snows the next. We have been lucky though as the weather could be much worse.
So many changes are taking place in our government. I wish the people would be more interested and care more about how government gets the votes that affect our lives.
Schools have had a trying time this year with so many teachers retiring. The virus has not helped the situation with many schools being delayed and closed. Education is very important and makes a big difference in our children’s lives.
MAYOR OF MADISON
The Mayor of Madison is wanting to be a Council Member. In August, a committee was appointed to redraw the seven single member districts into 6 districts. Under the new plan the Mayor of Madison would be elected as the seventh council member and the president of the City Council. The City Manager hired by the city council would carry out the policies and vision of the council while running the city like a business. The mayor will still be elected and a driving voice directing the over-all plan, and vision of city.
I am sad that a City Manager hired by the council will be responsible for the City of Madison instead of an elected Mayor. The City of Madison discussed hiring a city manager back in 2015 but it was voted down by the council back then. I still do not think it is a good idea.
In the City of Huntsville, the administrative assistant to Mayor is really a City Manager and runs the city for our mayor. He gives the presentations and works with the Engineering, Planning and Finance departments. The City Council never asks any questions about the big development projects when the City Manager and Engineering Director gives the presentations. The public is never involved with the decisions that the City Manager makes and our city is not ran by the person we voted for to run the city.
I hope Madison is smarter than to make this terrible change. If Mayor Finley does not want the responsibilities of the mayor job, then let the public decide who they want to run it instead of allowing the Council to make that decision.
AGENDA CODE
I hated to see our council members all vote to change the entire agenda for the council meetings. Now when the public speaks at the end of the meeting, the council has already voted on the items. I do not know whose idea it was to change the agenda in the first place but the old way was much better.
Love you all and have a blessed week.