November Ballot Will Feature Charter Commission Question
Voters can decide if Springfield needs a change in government.
In November, Springfield voters will decide whether the township needs a new form of government.
At the June 12 Springfield Township Committee meeting, officials passed an ordinance asking voters whether they want to a charter commission to study the Springfield’s government. The question will be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Thursday, Sep. 6 is the deadline for petitions for who would be a member of the Charter Commission. According to the ordinance, a copy of which is attached to this article, the charter commission would be composed of five members who would study Springfield’s form of government and make recommendations on the government’s future following a nine-month study. The commission would recommend one of four types of government approved by the 1923 Faulkner Act: a Mayor-Council form, a Council-Manager plan, a Small Municipality plan and a Mayor-Council-Administrator plan.
Springfield has twice had groups look critically at its form of government. In 1958, a charter commission similar to the one currently under discussion inspected the form of government and made recommendations. Springfield Government Study Committee pored over government organization and processes in 1996.Currently, Springfield operates under a committee form of government. The majority party chooses the mayor, who is meant to act as chair of the committee and lead meetings, each year. Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady has been instrumental in seeking a Charter Commission.
During discussion on the ordinance when it was originally introduced in May, Committee member David Amlen noted that important conclusions of the two studies had already been enacted, notably in the role of the township administrator.
Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady, who has spearheaded the proposed Charter Commission, said that there was not a plan in place, and that the Commission would flesh out changes.
Margaret Bandrowski
12:13 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
An important point is that the Commission may also conclude that no changes are needed, or perhaps what we have should just be tweaked a bit. If they decide change is needed, they may then recommend one of the four types of governments given in the Faulkner Act, and that particular option would be on the ballot in November of 2013.
MJ
4:33 pm on Monday, September 10, 2012
Well something should change, it is not really working now
Margaret Bandrowski
1:50 pm on Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I hope you have an opportunity to elaborate on your opinion - what do you feel is not working now? I am not arguing, but am interested in why you feel that way.
MJ
8:54 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Remember you asked for this,,,,,, It seems the town of springfield wastes a lot of time doing things in our town for a small few.... i was not in favor for the new turf field but we are not a dictatorship and the vote won. But why do we need to spend that much money to impress other town. You know our taxes are going up, i dont care what you say, they will go up and for what, a field... Why cant we spend that money on doing something with the down town area, really it is sad to drive down there and all the shops closed up.... it just seem to me we spend more time makeing a small amount happy while the majority is left to just pay for it. Hell we can not even get our grass clippings picked up but we will spend 3 million on a turf field. We got roads that need paving, but we will put a new sidewalk across the grass so people dont have to walk that far, down town is a wreck but we got a turf field,,,,,,, something needs to change, bring in someone to look at this,,,, there is the thought pattern, well we did not win this year we will just wait and change it nexy year... Give the mayor 2 years, and limit there terms dont let the same guys always run things, now i have got to tall on my soap box and time get off.. This my thoughts not anyone elses. But damn the government in this town needs to take of this town and stop worring on how to screw over the other party
Margaret Bandrowski
12:32 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Yes, I did ask for it and your comments are very welcome. The questions you have are important and cover several areas, but any response would be too lengthy to print here. I invite you to attend the Township Committee meetings (next one is Thurs., 9/27 at 7 PM), as well as the candidates' forum in late October. David Barnett and I will be at Bagels Supreme on Saturday morning and would be happy to meet you there to discuss. Please join us there.
MJ
7:57 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012
Margaret, Thank you for the invite but i work saturdays and i am really not the politically correct person and i tend to rub a lot of people the wrong way so i will pass on the Township meeting.
Leila
4:09 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
I agree with you MJ. This town carters to the few, and the loudest are labeled the majority. Revitalize all the roads for the amount spend on a field that only a few kids will be playing... oh, but yeah, a few kids of parents who are really committed to sports, and that's great, but those who cannot afford the increases should not have to sacrifice for it.
Stanley Kaish
3:29 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
I have a procedural question when voting. If you vote no on whether or not to have a charter commission, can you nevertheless vote for candidates to the commission? One report I read suggested you would only vote for members of the commission if you voted in favor of having a commission.
Stanley
SK