[Summit] At large council proposal

[Amanda Woodward]

The term "at large" alone causes pause.  The talking points make it sound as though minorities will be the only people given the chance to get elected when in fact they will be up against others who will just as easily or more easily raise funds.  
I think the points define the position just as I would imagine it - a stepping stone into mayorship - and I do not see that as a positive.  So, 3 people will be vying for carrying the most influence in City Council, and people will divert energy to cater to this.  Where does this put the 12 on the totem pole?  I imagine everyone has equal vote still - but what is the balance of influence?  
I just see a hierarchy being built - flat organizations work more effectively for the overall good.  Pyramids, even with good initial intentions, end up increasing the energy exerted on internal politics while the real mission becomes lost.  
Otherwise, as someone else state, something smells fishy.
amanda


----- Original Message ----
From: Jonathan Howard <jon at ceffect.com>
To: "Summit at sna.providence.ri.us" <Summit at sna.providence.ri.us>; Steve Durkee <sdurkee at durkeebrown.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2008 10:33:23 AM
Subject: [Summit] At large council proposal

Neighbors,

A group called the 12+3 Coalition is proposing to change the way our City Council is elected. Right now the city has 15 members, all from geographic wards (ours is Ward 3). Each Council member is elected by the voters of one ward. The coalition proposes to reduce the number of wards to 12 and make three of the seats elected on a citywide or "at-large" basis.

Steve Durkee, the Chairman of the City Plan Commission and a leading architect has shared these talking points in favor of the change. What do you all think of this idea? Is the current geographic system working for you? Do you think that at-large council members would make the council more responsive to the whole city?

I don't know the specifics, but like all city ordinances, this legislation will need committee hearings and approval before going to the full City Council. Evidently this is likely to come up this year.

Jon Howard

ps. Note that Summit Neighborhood Association has not considered or endorsed this proposal. I am sending this to you for your information and response.



Let the People Decide!
 
The Case for Reform of the ProvidenceCity Council
 
The 12+3 Coalition is a diverse group of Providencecitizens seeking much-needed, fundamental reforms in the way our city is governed.
 
Our proposal simple:  Change to City Council to include 12 council members, each representing one ward – and three at-large council members, each representing the entire City.
 
These reforms were approved by the City Charter Commission back in 2002.
Now it’s time to let the people decide to put them in place.
 
It’s a two-step process:
1.      The City Council agrees to put this proposal on this year’s ballot, and;
2.      In the November, THE PEOPLE DECIDE!
 
Who benefits from the 12+3 Proposal?  We all do!
 
¨             With the 12+3 Reforms in place, Providencewill have three people (the At-Large Council members), plus the Mayor, whose only job will be looking out for the interests of the whole City. Under the current system, council members can only act on issues related to their own ward.  This narrow approach does nothing to help our city – as a whole!    
¨             As Providence’s population continues to evolve, having 3 At-Large Councilors will improve the chances for more diversity on the city council, and give more people the opportunity to lay the groundwork necessary to become Mayor one day.  ¨             With 3 At-Large Councilors, we’ll all have three more people representing us on the city council (one from each ward, and 3 At-Large members).  The 12+3 Reforms will also increase representation for minority populations who are spread out over the whole city.  For instance, our Southeast Asian population will have a better chance to have a voice on the council where they don’t now. 
 
¨             The 12+3 Reforms will make it easier for candidates to raise the funds necessary for a strong campaign.  At-Large candidates will be able to raise campaign funds from all areas of the City (and the State) - not just their neighborhood - increasing the pool of available resources.
¨             Why 12+3?  Based on the experience of other cities, having 12 wards and three at-large members provides the right proportion of at-large members to those representing  wards.  This proposal will allow for the kind of diversity that reflects the population of the city.  We do not need to increase the overall total of the Providence City Council – we just need to make it more responsive and more diverse!  
¨             Providenceneeds to catch up.  We are one of the only cities our size without at-large council seats.  We need to enact this important reform here – and the 12+3 proposal is the way to go.
¨             The citizen members of the Charter Review Commission strongly recommended the 12+3 format in their 2002 report.  Now it’s time to debate that proposal and in November…
 
…LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE!
-- 
Jonathan W. Howard
Cause & Effect, Inc.
Helping nonprofits create community change
178 Ninth Street, Providence, RI 02906
401.331.2272
jon at ceffect.com
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