Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Seven hard questions in Little Rock's "secret" election to expand the mayor's power
1. What will be the exact dollar amount of salary paid to the mayor under the new arrangement? Please list fringe benefits and non-cash compensation separately. Be specific.
2. Please list the duties of the mayor in the new method of operation. Be specific. Include supporting legislative documentation.
3. Please state the exact dollar amount of compensation for the city manager in the proposed organization. Please list fringe benefits and non-cash compensation separately. Be specific.
4. Please list the duties of the city manager under the new method of operation. Be specific. Include supporting legislative documentation.
5. Please explain why a city manager is needed in this new proposed arrangement.
6. If the measures should pass, will the city manager be accountable to the mayor, or the city board of directors
7. It has been reported in the Democrat-Gazette that the City of Little Rock may be facing a $3 million budget shortfall. In view of the substantial increase in compensation for Little Rock's mayor ($120,000? It's just a guess, and absolutely low end.) which employees or services will be cut to pay for this new expenditure?
It is also noteworthy that, under this novel proposed reorganization, the city attorney loses all independence, since he can be fired by the mayor. Yes, I know there is the appearance of needing board approval, but the mayor, as you have seen in earlier posts, always has the six voted needed to do anything in his hip pocket. In a true mayor-council form of government, such as in North Little Rock, the City Attorney is an elected position.
Scroll down for several good essays on why this measure makes things worse for neighborhoods and regular folks.
VOTE "NO" TWICE ON AUGUST 14, and in early voting too!
2. Please list the duties of the mayor in the new method of operation. Be specific. Include supporting legislative documentation.
3. Please state the exact dollar amount of compensation for the city manager in the proposed organization. Please list fringe benefits and non-cash compensation separately. Be specific.
4. Please list the duties of the city manager under the new method of operation. Be specific. Include supporting legislative documentation.
5. Please explain why a city manager is needed in this new proposed arrangement.
6. If the measures should pass, will the city manager be accountable to the mayor, or the city board of directors
7. It has been reported in the Democrat-Gazette that the City of Little Rock may be facing a $3 million budget shortfall. In view of the substantial increase in compensation for Little Rock's mayor ($120,000? It's just a guess, and absolutely low end.) which employees or services will be cut to pay for this new expenditure?
It is also noteworthy that, under this novel proposed reorganization, the city attorney loses all independence, since he can be fired by the mayor. Yes, I know there is the appearance of needing board approval, but the mayor, as you have seen in earlier posts, always has the six voted needed to do anything in his hip pocket. In a true mayor-council form of government, such as in North Little Rock, the City Attorney is an elected position.
Scroll down for several good essays on why this measure makes things worse for neighborhoods and regular folks.
VOTE "NO" TWICE ON AUGUST 14, and in early voting too!
