Such was the case at the City Commission worksession Thursday night in Arkansas City.
The mayor is sort of a figure head in Arkansas City. Voters choose the five commissioners, and the commissioners choose one of their own to be mayor, whose main job is to conduct the meetings. There is some power there though, as a representative of the city and the "face" of the city and the commission.
There is no law regarding how this is done, but tradition plays a major part.
Traditionally, the person with the most votes during an election is picked to be mayor, and the one with the second highest votes is mayor the next year.
This has meant that someone with no experience at all on the commission can come in and be mayor immediately. Such is the case currently with Jay Warren, and Dotty Smith was major when she got elected.
It is time to select another mayor, and Patrick McDonald is in line to be selected. Commissioner Jean Snell recommended that they break with tradition and allow Warren to continue another year as Mayor. He said there are a lot of programs going on, and he would like to see the commission have continuity on those programs.
He also noted that McDonald is busy as a businessman, and Warren has more time to take care of various things with the city.
The other commissioners asked both Warren and McDonald what they wanted, and that is where neither one wanted to take that last piece of pie.
Warren said he has time to give to the office, and is willing to continue. McDonald said he was willing to go along with whatever the commission wanted. He said he liked the idea of tradition, and he feels that tradition is what people want. He feels that the voters spoke in the election, by implication at least, and that he would like to see the voter's wishes met.
Smith asked for one of them to say he wanted the position. Neither did.
Mell Kuhn said he understood both sides, and he too, wanted either Warren of McDonald to say what they wanted.
Usually issues are decided at the worksession - though no vote is taken. Usually the vote on Tuesday is what was agreed on at the previous work session. No agreement was reached, so they will vote on the matter next Tuesday.
Smith brought up the point that breaking tradition is good at times, and that it might be a good time to look at some things like how the mayor is chosen.
She has said in the past that it might be good for a person to serve on the commission for a year before becoming mayor.
The commission can change how it is done. What is currently done is based on tradition and not on law.
What do you think?
Should the commission change how things are done?
Please vote in the poll on this blog.
Wow Ark City leadership at it's finest, not one of them have the spine to make a decision.....
ReplyDeleteMcDonald will tow the "party line" and do as he is told, Warren just doesn't want it to look like it was Warren's decision..
On the other hand, if either one said "Yes I want it" they could be accused of being egotistical and power hungry.
ReplyDeletefirst of all, this is not about the people. It's about finally having the courage to deal with some leadership issues in the community. The elected positions have shown more spunk than what's been seen in the past two decades.
ReplyDeleteThere does not seem to be that hovering around "Mother City Manager's apron skirts" as in the past. They are working through CITY COMMISSION decisions and staring down defiant and insubordinate staff.
So now, it's time to impact some things that will have lasting value on elected leadership.
Benefits: You lend credence to the seat of Mayor over the board of commissioners. Not so much as to yield veto power but at least enough to have one person set an agenda and seek support of the other elected officials to move forward.
The staff becomes the resources available to - provide information necesarry to take action and the responsible people to carry out the actions.
The Mayor stands to become more knowledgeable on the issues facing the City as he sets the agenda for Council meetings.
At a minimum, the ground work would be in place so that, should we shrink in fear and return to the one year mayor, we could justiiably defer that by one year and let the commissioner receiving the highest number of votes take the Mayor seat after one full year on the Commission. His/Her successor would have two full years and the Council direction will be more fluid and less vulnerable to manipulation by questionable motives of ranking City staff.
Point is, it really doesn't matter that the person doing this is named Warren. It matters that someone has the courage to do it. So, I say show the courage and do it Mr. Mayor.
You are not doing it for your own legacy, even though you create one in doing it. You are doing it for the betterment of teh community well into the future. What better legacy to have than to have genuinely left the community better positioned - from a leadership standpoint - than it has ever been before.
Don't shrink away Mr. Mayor. Think of it this way. Right now, you've already been criticized for not having the courage to do it. So, either you will criticized for showinfg leadership or for shrinking away.
Just say you want it! Be a leader! Lead us into a brighter day and stronger future leadership. Don't let our leadership continue to be about "whose turn it is." Make our votes really matter for now and into the tomorrows of Arkansas City.
^^^ WHAT THEY SAID.
ReplyDeleteI think Jay Warren should continue as Mayor. He has shown good leadership and there are many things that need to stay their course.
ReplyDeleteAs for Jean Snell I think he is RIGHT tradition isn't always and forever for the best way.
Finally! It will be good to break this TRADITION. Everyone on that commission was elected as a commissioner, the mayor is not elected by the people we are only electing a commissioner.
ReplyDeleteI think that it would be nice to see the same Mayor continue, everytime we change Mayor's projects die and get forgotten.
This commission has finally made things happen under Warren's leadership and I would hate to see that stop.
Come on JAY just say YES!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust say YES!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Patrick?
ReplyDeleteWhat is there that Warren can do or even should be involved in outside the Meetings?
Hasn't Patrick been a Commsioner longer at this point than Warren?
Where is the inconsistency in that plan?
Patrick be a man grab the brass ring and don't look back!
I saw Patrick should be the mayor. Patrick knows the ropes and has been real in the meetings. He has listened to the people. Warren won't even speak to me, so he only speaks to those who are in his neighborhood. I can't afford that life style. I didn't vote for him, so I have the right to say that. He didn't answer my questions in the election, so I have nothing to give him a boost about since he can boost himself with his fan club.
ReplyDeletePatrick is a hard working common man that was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. If it is Patrick's turn, then Patrick needs to take the reins and lead our community.
Patrick should be mayor. Everyone is trying to change how things are ran in this country. Our forefathers started it, the tradition should continue.
ReplyDelete@ 3:35 and 3:43
ReplyDeleteThese are the people who say, "For as long as I can remember, we've always done it that way."
And of course, that's probably the most sound argument for continuing to do it that way. Heaven forbid we change anything. Things wree much better when we had just a few horse drawn carriages around here. none of these danged ol cars or planes. And what the ehck is a locomotive anyway.
Yeah, lets be adult and say make sure everyone gets there turn.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeletePatrick should be mayor. Everyone is trying to change how things are ran in this country. Our forefathers started it, the tradition should continue.
April 16, 2010 3:43 PM
Do your homework and you will learn that AC voters once elected a mayor at large. I think we also had wards or precints which had their own elected area representative.
So, who is actually introducing change? Maybe we are changing back?????
I'm shocked that Ark City doesn't have an election for it's Mayor! The mayor should be elected by the public and not a group of commissioners who will select whomever they feel will be the best person to go along with them on important decisions. Breaking tradition should be in the way Ark City Mayors are put in office!
ReplyDeleteArk City has a mayor?
ReplyDeleteto 3:28; 3:35; 3:43
ReplyDeleteyour verbage would suggest that you are all the same person.
I personally think that we have had some terrible mayors because of that silly tradition.
We have a commission now that has really been working hard to bring some really hugh tasks under it's wings. They are diverse in their thinking, and when they come together it shows that the process is working because ideas are moving and things are working.
They care about what they are doing they are not just passing things because the staff says so.
In the beginning of this commission I thought there was no way in the world that this commission could function they have not only functioned they have done so with courage.
This commission under Jay Warren, has suggested bold steps, the audit, the purchasing agent that would help the citizens of Arkansas City,
I think that they should elect Jay Warren who has the time to do the job. And is not afraid to do what has to be done.
It is not a Matter if Dotty smokes her pipe in public, or if JW is working for ACI or if who is screwing who,,,, the facts are its a consortium of cohersion and manipulation to stimulate the gratification of a select few, and it really is to late to fix it
ReplyDeleteOk, maybe a wildcat oilman for mayor isn't so bad after all! Drill, pump it dry, plug it and walk away with a pocketful of cash!
ReplyDeleteSound like a plan!
In fact McDonald and the entire commission would be demonstrating leadership. McDonald has a four year term and would only be deferred one year - not deprived of being mayor. He would then be in position to give a new elected official - likely another first timer - a chance to learn the job before taking the mayor seat.
ReplyDeleteDo it Patrick. Be a leader. Build the team. Be the one to suggest it. It will be your legacy also. And you will be both mayor next year and a mentor for a newby who cold learn from you instead of let the city lose momentum. (AGAIN!!!!!!)
Come on Patrick! Be a part of continuing one of the most effective governing bodies since the 1980's. Or, become the poster child for the status quo and fear of change that has plagued Arkansas City for decades.
Why does AC commission seem to have all the drama & Winfield commission seems to have very little ?
ReplyDeleteAny ideas ?
Mel should be mayor he was much more entertaining
ReplyDeleteWhy does AC commission seem to have all the drama & Winfield commission seems to have very little ?
ReplyDeleteAny ideas ?
>>>
Could be the news coverage?
AC v Winfield City Commission: Most base answer is that when you are actually doing something, most people are helping you do it and there isn't much time for talk.
ReplyDeleteWinfield seems to have an "one action at a time" approach to progress. They seem to understand that it takes time from plannig to product and sticking with their leadership is the way to get it done. No one follows closely behind just getting the job done.
Arkansas City is kind of schizophrenic (sp) between grandiose plans to become the next urban center and ineptitude of professional conspiracy theorists.
In other words, AC is all talk and no action. Winfield seems more to be the "little by little the bird builds his nest."
Example: Had the beef producing plant chosen a Northern Cowley location it may very well have hit or exceeded its employment and production targets. Here, they play cat and mouse with the cops, bankers and wannabe wheeler dealers. They are stuck trying to win community support by giving product to organizations whose members then turnaround and curse the company publicly as the worst thing to happen in AC.
Winfield responded to losing the State Hospital by going after the Veteran's home. They responded to losing Rubbermaid by going after an expansion of GE. They did not waste a lot of time and energy with conspiracies and blaming. They replaced lost jobs with new jobs.
When you do that, the headlines are about new jobs - check last weeks news for example.
Supplemental answer: Take note of the stability of elected and non-elected leadership there. That shows a maturity of the citizens who vote. Steady handed elected work much better with steady and honest non-elected staff.
AC pretty much has an adolescent approach to elections. Every two years they are after the latest fad. They keep crying for something and someone different. Even when two consecutive elections result in leadership with totally opposite priorities and opinions, still no one is content.
If your two choices were up or down. One year you elect up and then complain about being led up. The next election you elect down and then complain about being led down. Like adolescents, we simply cannot accept the consequence of our own choices.
Of course, this should evoke another round of blaming comments and conspiracy theories. Which of the commissioners or city staff am I??
The mayor should be elected by the public and not a group of commissioners
ReplyDeleteMaybe then you wouldn't need a City Manger!
I believe there are more than one form of City Government!
The City manager does the work of an elected full time Mayor!
The Mayor in the present type system is mainly a figure head to conduct meetings and represent the city.
The City Manager is responsible for the budgets and operations of the departments!
The Commission is an elected body to represent and protect the interst of the Taxpayers and Citizens!
Maybe its important to make sure that there is no conflict of interest involved!
I think Winfield does a good job of supporting the efforts of its individuals and businesses!
But, they make clear the role of the City as it relates to its businesses and individuals!
They didn't support a TIF because that wasn't the Cities responsibility! They apparently turned down the same type or similar offer that ACI wanted Ark City to accept!
Amazing! Most of the comments in this post are very thought provoking and a basis for good debate. Are "WE" finally waking up in AC?
ReplyDeleteTime to have a special eclection for the position of mayor.
ReplyDeleteDotty smoking a peace pipe?? i always thought she liked to roll her own,, there isnt one commish besides maybe Mc Donald who would take a voluntary drug test
ReplyDeleteall elected officals should be drug tested
Heck i wouldnt take a drug test either. Im too much of a libertarian.
ReplyDeleteI dont use drugs, but you dont have a right to know that. :)
Nor do i think an employer should have that right - unless you are responsible for the safety of others - such as a bus driver or jet pilot.
I really think the drug test requirement is a violation of civil liberties.
all government employees should be tested elected or not
ReplyDelete@9:41 "all government employees should be tested elected or not"
ReplyDeleteDrugs are the worst problem. They should be tested if they want to receive government help too. No dopers allowed. Anywhere, anytime. If an employer wants to test them for dope, then that's ok. They don't have a right to work there. Let them go to work where the employer doesn't mind hiring dopers.
They'll be off sick more, call in more, have bad attitudes. Lock 'em up. If they have children, offer them counseling or put the children in foster care.
That's right. And I mean ALL drugs. Nicotine and caffeine. Lock 'em up. And alcohol. And prescriptions. Even legal scripts - who wants to work with someone with some condition? Even drug dealers should be tested. And druggists. Losers. And St. Joseph's children's aspirin. Who needs to be around that kind of thing?
ReplyDeleteAmen! Preach it!
ReplyDelete