Comments on: Who Will Be Decatur’s Next Mayor?

By: Judd

Judd — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:53:49 +0000

We have what’s called a “weak mayoral system,” where the mayor is basically chairman of the board, which oversees the professionals (headed by the City Manager) who basically run city operations. It’s a professionalized, and relatively depoliticized system. It’s still highly political, of course, and someone with considerable political skills, such as Bill Floyd, can make it a powerful position. And Floyd did just that, despite the fact that he thinks the mayor’s authority should be strengthened by making it a popularly elected post.

I too wonder how healthy it is to have nearly every vote be unanimous. It’s more healthy for boards as such than it is for democratic politics. In the case of the Decatur commission, consistant unanimity is connected to this professionalized model, but has more specifically to do with the culture of the board (commission), and the typically high level of deference of the Decatur voters in City matters.

By: Fred Boykin

Fred Boykin — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 21:42:07 +0000

Chris, I think one of the reasons you don’t see many challenges is because the City Manager makes sure the Commission stays briefed on projects as they move along. The recent zoning changes are a case in point – the Commission had a number of work sessions (briefings) on the different proposals and then a final work session before the vote. It is a rare item that comes up for a vote without the Commission having had ample opportunities to review and comment on whatever is being proposed.

The other thing of note is the effort that goes into creating the various plans developed over the years. Town Center Plan (1982), Town Center Plan Update (1989), Comprehensive Plan (1995), Strategic Plan (2000), etc. I’m willing to bet that you’ve provided public comment on a few of these yourself – as have a ton of others. I make it a point to read and review these 4 before the annual Commission retreat just so the history of how we got to where we are today is fresh in my mind.

Decatur, in my opinion, does a pretty good job of gathering public input into the plan itself and then trying to follow the dictates of said plan. Rarely does a Decatur plan just gather dust on a shelf.

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 03:00:22 +0000

That sounds very analagous to the School Board and school administrators.

By: G Buck

G Buck — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 02:38:52 +0000

I would also like to see a drug and alcohol test added to the screening.

Mostly because I think our local, state and national leaders need more drugs and alcohol.

By: Chris Billingsley

Chris Billingsley — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:16:46 +0000

I wish the next commissioner chosen as mayor the best of luck. Decatur is a commission/manager form of government and as much as I respect Mr. Floyd, he has very little authority as mayor. This is as it should be. The real power, in my opinion and sad to say, is not the mayor, or a member of the commission, or even the city manager, but those bureaucrats who research and explain the proposals that the commissioners vote on (Not dissing city employees who make recommendations before the commission, some of whom (city bureaucrats) I like and respect).
Food for thought: Have you ever seen commissioners seriously challenge the proposals that are explained by city bureaucrats? This does not happen often.