Gresham City Council districting makes the ballot
It's a great idea. Politicians who represent entire cities wind up representing only their own friends. Let's hope that the measure passes, and that Portland is next. Of course, the Portland reforms would also have to include getting rid of the antique "commission" form of government -- a ghastly amateur hour that has run the city straight into a financial black hole. But these changes are long overdue.
| Posted at 4:43 PM | Permalink |
|
Comments (4)
So true.
Posted by Stuart | July 9, 2012 11:09 PM
Having every member of a city council elected at-large (except for the mayor) makes no sense at all.
People should look into why most or all cities implemented this or a similar form of government about the turn of the century. One of the alleged ideas was to make the running of cities more business-like in order to get things done. Having at-large council members was one way to make sure that popular working class people, and people in any number of minority groups (ethnic and philosophical) because it forced such people to campaign city-wide, which was very difficult.
Among the minority viewpoints marginalized by this system were "Socialist, laissez-faire, anti-downtown, ethnic, district outlook, working man etc".
When this idea was suggested for Portland
about a decade ago, I got a kick out of those lefties who warned that it was the Fat Cat types who were behind going to district representation. Yet it was that group, among others, who got rid of district representation in the first place. Interested people who read chapter four of leftie James Weinstein's "The Corporate Ideal in the Liberal State". Though a leftie, his study of that period revealed a progressive agenda (not shared by all) that helped merge business interests and so-called liberalism to take more control of city politics by using the at-large and committee systems.
I'd be willing to go to districts again and let the chips fall where they may. Where they fall is not something I want to control. But one thing is certain, and many would agree, and that is were the Portland city council been elected by district all these years, "visionary" Fat Cats like Homer Williams would be finding it very difficult to get so many projects handed to them.
Bob Tiernan
NE Portland
Posted by Bob Tiernan | July 10, 2012 9:17 PM
In my view, unfortunately, by the time of any change to our current system, the major damage will have been done. Those in control have wanted it just the way it has been and the last time a movement to make the change, it just didn't happen. So sad and 173 days left and who knows how many more days until any positive direction!! I think the people of Portland have been bombarded with problems and worn down, one more way to keep new efforts to change from materializing. Then if efforts to change, look for a survey that will show that people like the system we have!!
Posted by clinamen | July 11, 2012 9:51 AM
Clinamen: In my view, unfortunately, by the time of any change to our current system, the major damage will have been done.
Me: Take a long term view, too.
Bob T
NE Portland
Posted by Bob Tiernan | July 11, 2012 2:56 PM