Coverage of charter financials biased

After months of waiting, the Saratoga Springs charter review commission issued its preliminary analysis that changing the form of government would save the city $391,000. Instead of reporting that news, The Saratogian chose to run a lead story on its front page on Sept. 21 focused on quotes from opponents. It’s disappointing to see such bias in the media outlet many locals rely on for news.

I support charter reform, and will vote yes on this well-researched and reasonable proposal. Our current form of government is inefficient with much duplicated effort. It puts non-professionals in key positions of responsibility while shutting out qualified candidates who cannot afford to work full time for $14,000 a year. Our city is growing and needs the efficient city manager system which has been adopted by virtually every American city of our size.

However, I don’t want you to vote yes for charter reform just because I say so. I hope you will get the facts and decide for yourself. Many of the arguments I’ve heard and read have the in-hour-face, finger-on-your-chest logic of shouting in bar rooms. Since I’m a “yes” I am thinking about things I’ve heard from opponents of change. But I bet many of the “no” people feel the same about our side.

Keeping or changing our charter is a complex decision. It’s not like voting for or against a candidate for office. But our laws require that we review it periodically and now that it’s on the ballot we all have to do our homework. Get the facts, then vote as you see fit. A good place to start is the official charter review site at saratogacharter.com.

— Otis Maxwell Saratoga Springs