The Saratoga Springs charter commission did their best to fix our crazy commission form of government. Sadly, there wasn’t much they could do. Question 1 asks if we should approve a few reassignments of who reports to whom. But the basic dysfunctional structure remains untouched. Still no one in charge, 5 uncoordinated departments, no qualifications required for leadership roles. Politics interfering with city services, too much bureaucracy, no accountability. And zero cost savings.
Question 2 asks if we should tack on 2 new council members with only legislative responsibilities. It won’t work in the commission system. It would be an untried experiment, the first – and undoubtedly the last – in the country. The mayor and 4 commissioners would continue to have exclusive authority over their departments. Because the new legislators would have little hope of finding out what’s going on, and little influence over city operations, they wouldn’t have much to do for their pay. Nice work if you can get it.
Let’s hold out for our chance next year to vote on a new charter, with a sensible organization, that fixes the real problems at substantial cost savings. Please turn the ballot over and vote NO on questions 1 and 2.
- Rick Fenton
Founding Member of It’s Time Saratoga!
