Committed To Southern Colorado Seniors For 42 Years And Counting
Senior
Beacon
Established February 1982
**MAY 2023 EDITION**
Vol. 42:4
SS**** W E N W L E A N C L OCA ****LLO
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Everyone wants strong political leadership—neighborhoods, civic leaders, and the business community included. And today’s complex communities cannot succeed without the guidance of effective mayors who provide a sense of direction and contribute to the smooth functioning of a local government. But communities also need thoughtful, dedicated council members, who work with the mayor to establish appropriate policy, and competent, professional managers to carry out those policies. None of the three are mutually exclusive; they can and do work together today in many of the country’s successful council-manager communities. Today council-manager government is the fastest growing form of government in the United States; it frees up the elected body to establish policy, which is carried out by an appointed manager and an administrative staff. The manager is accountable to the entire council for the satisfactory implementation of council policy and the day-to-day administration of municipal affairs. There are compelling reasons why many of the nation’s most successful cities and towns have adopted council-manager government rather than the “strong-mayor” form. Council-manager government encourages neighborhood input into the political process, diffuses the power of special interests, and eliminates partisan
politics from municipal hiring, firing, and contracting decisions. People who take time to learn the facts about council-manager government are likely to join the ranks of those who favor this popular form. Consider the following when deciding which form of government is best for your community: Neighborhoods Strengthen Their Voice The council-manager form encourages open communication between citizens and their government. Under this form, each member of the governing body has an equal voice in policy development and administrative oversight. This gives neighborhoods and diverse groups a greater opportunity to influence policy. Under the “strong mayor” form, political power is concentrated in the mayor, which means that other members of the elected body relinquish at least some of their policy-making power and influence. This loss of decision-making power among council members can have a chilling effect on the voices of neighborhoods and city residents. The Power of Special Interests is
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Diffused Under the council-manager form of government, involvement of the entire elected body ensures a more balanced approach to community decision making, so that all interests can be expressed and heard—not just those that are well funded. Under the “strong mayor” form, however, it’s easier for special interests to use money and political power to influence a single elected official, rather than having to secure a majority of the city council’s support for their agenda. Merit-Based Decision Making Vs. Partisan Politics Under council-manager government, qualifications and performance—and not skillful navigation of the political election process—are the criteria the elected body uses to select a professional manager. The professional manager, in turn, uses his or her education, experience, and training to select department heads and other key managers to oversee the efficient delivery of services. In this way, council-manager govern-
▶ SEE MAYOR, PAGE 9
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CITY OF PUEBLO WELCOME SOUTH KOREAN DELEGATION PUEBLO, Colo. – The City of Pueblo welcomed a South Korean delegation during a recent visit to Pueblo in conjunction with the CS Wind America groundbreaking for expansion. “I am happy to welcome the South Korean delegation to Pueblo during their visit for the expansion of CS Wind,” said Mayor of Pueblo Nick Gradisar. “I met with the mayor of Gunsan and university officials from Kunsan National University during my trip to Korea in the fall of 2022 and now we can return the hospitality to showcase what a wonderful place Pueblo is to live and work.” Mayor of Pueblo Nick Gradisar traveled to South Korea in the fall of 2022 with Councilor Dennis Flores, President of Pueblo Community College Patty Erjavec, Ph.D.
▶ SEE KOREA, PAGE 9
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