Spa City ready for new form of government

Let the record show, I’m ready for change in our city’s form of government, a fundamental change for the better.

The proposed new City Charter offers our city a unique opportunity to vastly improve the way city business is conducted and in the way residents and taxpayers are represented. The new City Charter proposal recognizes and utilizes what already exists in the way of a strong and qualified management staff within city government. This along with a new Operations Manager will represent the city’s new management team charged with the responsibility for carrying out city policy and overseeing the day-to-day administration of city government operations.

The current five member council will be replaced with a seven member City Council including the mayor, who will serve as the council’s presiding officer with certain defined powers and responsibilities. A new highly qualified Operations Manager will be responsible for working with the City Council and assume responsibility for direct supervision, coordination and administration of all city departments.

Missing from the new form of government will be the political drama and vitriolic side-show that has been common-place at the biweekly meetings of the City Council. What we’ve witnessed in recent years is the politics of self-preservation among City Council members who spend more time at the council table doing personal politics than doing the city’s business. Missing will be the deal-making among City Commissioners in exchange for bad public policy, the giveaways and breaks granted to their friends in order to curry favor, not because it makes good sense for the city or its taxpayers, but just because they can, within the conflicting power of their office.

Our current system of government is broken and favors the privileged few, many of whom can not resist the campaign scare tactics of higher taxes, re-assessment and unelected managers; all in order to keep their grip on City Hall. In this election, and in response to those who choose to play the politics of fear against charter revision, I say: where was their call for accountability and concern for the taxpayer when the commissioner of public works was, for two years, giving the store away to the tune of millions of dollars in waived or forgiven water connection fees and then ineffect passing the bill on to city water ratepayers? Their silence was deafening.

Yes, it’s time Saratoga for a major course correction that will bring professionalism, real accountability and a new sense of citizen participation in your local government. On Nov. 7, vote “Yes” for a new city charter. Our city will be better served for it.

William J. McTygue Former director of public works Saratoga Springs