Commission form of gov’t has served city well

Governing, is, and will be, an imperfect science. This is based primarily on the fact that we ourselves have flaws, differences of opinions, and beliefs that become amplified in a robust democracy.

There are certainly imperfections in the commission form of government we have in Saratoga Springs, but converting to another form does not guarantee these imperfections can be rectified. Our proposed charter change to a city manager type, may or may not bring us more efficiency and accountability. It is successful at our county level, but when looking at other cities in New York state with city manager run government, typical problems still exist.

Troy, for example, governed by city manager type government, by the mid 1990s had become deeply in debt. Now granted, Troy faced typical suburban flight and loss of manufacturing in the decades before. But, if their form is so nimble, and adaptable to changes, why did Troy not avoid near financial collapse?

From the early 1950s to the mid 1970s Saratoga Springs faced many problems, yet with the commission form of government, we were able to succeed.

Recently, I received a flyer on my door promoting the city manager form, in which it pointed out the many problems we have. In doing a little research, I came across an article about a man by the name of Clifford Olney, who is running for a council seat in Watertown, a city also using city manager form of government. From the article Mr. Olney explains, from speaking to local residents “that regulations should be made less restrictive for local business owners, who complain that the city sometimes makes things more difficult than necessary for them.” How interesting. The prochange flyer indicates an end to “delays,” yet in Watertown, the residents are complaining how difficult a city manager form can be to deal with at times.

I do thank the many fine citizens who served on the charter change commission, who spent considerable time and dedication in working on a new charter. Their service should not be overlooked.

If passed, we may continue to be the envy of New York state, but that is not guaranteed. As I illustrate here, a different form is still fraught with problems. Why risk success? Therefore, I ask you vote no of our proposed charter change.

John Veitch Saratoga Springs The deadline for election letters, published several times in the print and online editions of The Saratogian, was Friday. Oct. 27. Any election letters received after that date will not be accepted. If space becomes an issue, additional letters will be published online at Saratogian.com. No election letters will be published after the Sunday, Nov. 5. Letters should be e-mailed to letters@ saratogian.com. Letters should generally be around 400 words in length and include the author’s name, address and telephone number for verification purposes.