Charter clarifies wording

Discussion

February 27, 2013

Charter clarifies wording

Anonymous Herald-Banner Staff The Herald-Banner Wed Feb 27, 2013, 04:11 PM CST

GREENVILLE — To the editor:

Re City Charter clarification

Several articles in the Greenville Herald-Banner have inferred that the Charter Review Committee is proposing changing the votes necessary to remove the city manager from a “super majority” to a majority.

Nancy Smith’s letter to the editor in Sunday’s edition mentions this as well. This is simply not true.

The Charter, as it is today, states that it takes a majority of the City Council to remove the city manager. The committee, of which I was a member, simply clarified that majority means four of seven votes. One could argue that the way the Charter is written today that a majority could mean a simple majority, which is one more than half of the council members present. If the language remains as it is today, the city manager could be removed with three votes if only four council members attended the meeting in which the vote was taken.

The current city manager cannot be removed without a super majority (five of seven votes) because it is in his contract. The contract and the Charter are two different things; and if the Charter is changed to reflect the proposed clarification language, it will not affect the city manager’s current contract.

I would like to take this opportunity to say that I think Steve Alexander is one of the best city managers Greenville has ever had. He is level-headed, approachable and considers an issue from multiple angles. I have enjoyed working with him on several animal control related issues and look forward to working with him in the future.

I hope that the citizens of Greenville consider each suggested change to the City Charter carefully. All the Charter review meetings were open to the public and the records of each meeting can be obtained from the city secretary.

I appreciate the opportunity I had in serving on the Charter Review Committee. I learned a lot about how our city works, and I hope that more people take an interest in our city and what we need to do to make our community stronger. Greenville is in a good position to decide what kind of future we want. If everyone will take a little time and let our elected officials and leaders know what they do and do not want for Greenville, it will go a long way to making Greenville a great place to live.

I urge everyone to get involved, do some research and turn out for the May elections.

Deidre Mead

Greenville

Text Only

Letters to the editor

Vote for new Y
I write to support the YMCA bond election from a perspective of the role they provide in the health of our community. As a health care professional, I have long understood and supported the need and development of a comprehensive Health and Wellness Center which could serve not only as a fitness center and playground, but as a cornerstone for building and maintaining healthy bodies and lifestyles.

May 10, 2013
Appreciate article
We would like to say we are in full agreement and support Randy Daw’s article in last Friday’s paper concerning the issue of homosexuality.

May 10, 2013
In support of new Y
A number of Greenville citizens have asked if we can afford a new YMCA. After many years of being a part of the Y, I think the question is, can we afford not to build a new YMCA?

May 10, 2013
Examine the facts
In response to the editorial published by the Herald-Banner on April 28 stating that the staff believes more time is required before an informed decision can be made on the issuance of public bonds for a new YMCA and Event Center…

May 10, 2013
Proven for the job
It has come to my attention that Tyson Cox has declined a candidate’s forum with Dan Perkins sponsored by GEUS. The forum was to be broadcast on their network.

May 10, 2013
Make a difference
I’d like to voice my support for the YMCA and Event Center that is on the ballot as Proposition 2.

May 10, 2013
Better Greenville
Take a step back and imagine what a “better Greenville” looks like to you.

May 10, 2013
Vote for new Y
My wife, Marilyn, and I want to encourage the citizens of Greenville to vote in support of the YMCA project.

May 10, 2013
Cox good choice
I was born and raised in Greenville and have lived here most of my life, except for the two years my husband, Perry M. Smith, was in dental school and the two years he practiced dentistry in West Texas.

May 10, 2013
Endorsing Cox
We don’t often write letters to the editor and even more rarely endorse political candidates. But we could not pass up the opportunity to offer our wholehearted endorsement for Tyson Cox.

May 10, 2013
More Letters to the editor Headlines

Letters to the editor

Search Results

Discussion

Charter clarifies wording

The last Triple Crown Winner in thoroughbred horse racing in the U.S. was Affirmed in 1978. With Orb's loss in the Preakness there won't be a Triple Crown winner again this year. Will there ever be another Triple Crown winner?

Site Map

Contact Us