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3 DEC 03: POWER MONGERS?
Tuesday marked the last Phenix City Council meeting before a city vote on changing city government. If you haven't been keeping up with this story - no, it's not about surrendering for a state takeover.
The Phenix City Chamber of Commerce came out Tuesday against both parts of next Tuesday's referendum on changing city government. But is anyone really surprised by this? Many Chamber members are against change - because they prefer dollar bills, the bigger the better.
The Phenix City Chamber of Commerce surveyed its membership, and found 76 percent oppose changing to an elected school board. Well, at least the City Council-appointed board knows how to pick good high school football and basketball coaches.
The non-scientific survey also found a whopping 85 percent of Phenix City Chamber members oppose moving away from a City Manager form of government, to a full-time Mayor. The other 15 percent want former City Manager Bobby Gaylor to run for Mayor next year.
(So on both proposed changes, Chamber members prefer appointed officials to elected ones. But then again, they don't normally hold elections to choose business Presidents and CEO's.)
The results of the non-scientific survey were presented to Phenix City Council by Chamber of Commerce President Victor Cross. With a name like that, you'd think he would have opposed Sunday liquor sales.
There's a big overlooked point in the debate about dropping the City Manager in Phenix City. The talk of change began shortly after the current City Manager was called out of town, to military reserve duty. While he's serving our country, it appears some Council members would rather serve Mayor Sonny Coulter.
I didn't realize until Tuesday that only four Alabama cities have a City Manager form of government. Apparently most of the rest take what's called a "strong Mayor" approach - and if you try to be stronger than some Alabama Mayors, you risk getting thrown in jail.
Not wanting to be upstaged, Russell County Commissioners are expected to talk today about this week's return of Administrator LeeAnn Horne-Jordan. Some people now say the Administrator's job should be eliminated. This would bring one big advantage - fewer women at the courthouse for Tillman Pugh to harass.
Russell County Probate Judge Al Howard is the loudest critic of Administrator LeeAnn Horne-Jordan's return. He claims her presence on the job could cost the county a big insurance loss from a lawsuit. Which is interesting, considering her suspension LED to a lawsuit - from her attorney.
Let's see what other area governments were up to Tuesday....
+ The Harris County Commission passed a resolution supporting Roy Moore and the Ten Commandments - but it's NOT going to post the Commandments in the courthouse for now. This is a bit like telling the church Pastor: "Tithing? Yeah, that sounds good...." then dropping a dollar bill in the basket.
+ The Lee County government opened a new satellite tax office in Smith Station. The fact that this was opened with a big ceremony by smiling politicians shows Democrats are in charge....
+ The Columbus Council approved a "wish list" for next year's Georgia legislative session. Among other things, the city wants state money to build a new marina. You'd think by now, they would have found a better way - like assessing a big sales tax on speed boats.
+ Columbus Police announced the city had 99 shoplifting cases in November. This was presented on the evening news as a stunning, troubling holiday season development - totally ignoring the other statistic on the screen, showing 113 cases LAST November. Shoplifting is DOWN 13 percent! C'mon, guys, smile a little....
COMING THURSDAY: A cashier catches a counterfeit.... and your blog is there....
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© 2003 Richard Burkard, All Rights Reserved.