Quote:
Originally Posted by Addick
Is localization really a bad thing though? The municipal government is the last level of government and the one that is closest to the people, does it not make sense to make it the most accessible?
While it does allow for the possibility of dysfunction at times when a holistic outlook is required, I think it is a preferable problem to the one created in systems that have macro-factions instead of micro-factions. The inner-city versus outer-city divide is starting to loom large, imagine what it would be like with the system you propose. How much attention would the little yet important local ward issues receive?
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I am not trying to design a new election system on the fly here. Just saying that the ward system, in my opinion, is flawed more than a no-ward system. It is funny how people are scared of the inconvenience of having to look at 40-50 resumes once every four years. What's a big deal if you care about who governs your city? Making the playing field even - also not impossible. Lawn signs - outlaw and get rid of them entirely; they are annoying and don't add any useful information. Political platform format can be standardized for all candidates, so that they can be evaluated online and compared apples to apples. Make candidates state their election promises in writing. Make them provide the budget breakdown as they want to see it on both cost and revenue sides. Require at least some level of post-secondary education and work experience to be eligible for a nomination etc. I mean, these are all reasonable suggestions.
Council's primary role is to hire a good city manager and approve the budget that benefits the entire city. Secondary role is to review ongoing city policies that, again, should benefit the entire city. Ward system stifles its ability to be effective in both of these roles.