Dear editor,
Should a city manager have the power to hire & fire City employees as she sees fit, without any over-sight?
This will be the question Bay City residents could see on the ballot if City Council votes in favor of this charter change.
Currently there is a “checks and balance” in place where the elected mayor and elected council members are involved with this process.
The new proposed change would give the new City Manager, Scotty Jones, absolute authority when it comes to these types of decisions.
When it comes to government, there are few things more important than ensuring that checks and balances are in place.
This helps to ensure that no one department or person of government becomes too powerful and abuses their power or position.
Checks and balances promotes accountability and prevents “hasty decision-making”: prevents rushed and impulsive actions.
Checks and balances plays a crucial role in safeguarding individual rights and helps to make sure everyone’s voice is heard and that decisions are made fairly.
Another suggested change to the charter is the residency for City Manager.
Allowing council to circumvent the charter and allow the City Manager to live outside the city on a case by case instance.
Newly appointed City Manager, Scotty Jones was aware of the ordinance when accepting this position.
How do either of the suggested changes benefit the City of Bay City?
Seems as though both suggested changes benefit only one person.
Concerned resident,
Erin Regan
