Comments on: Again, with the at-large seats http://providencedailydose.com/2008/05/14/again-with-the-at-large-seats/ News/Arts/Culture/Nightlife/Nonsense/Obscurities Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:58:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Cliff http://providencedailydose.com/2008/05/14/again-with-the-at-large-seats/#comment-5290 Cliff Fri, 16 May 2008 22:03:19 +0000 http://providencedailydose.com/2008/05/14/again-with-the-at-large-seats/#comment-5290 Dear friends, I have introduced this 5+10 ordinance to create at-large/citywide council seats because it makes sense for Providence. I offered the ordinance based on the hard work of the 2002 Charter Review Commission, which found the following: • “The presence of at-large members will free the City Council as a whole from the constraints of ward politics, encourage big-picture thinking, and provide additional avenues for citizens to express concerns about citywide issues.” • “Providence currently differs with many other communities across the state and the nation on the issue of at-large city council members. Of the major cities in Rhode Island, only Providence and Warwick do not have at-large council members (in most smaller towns, all council members are elected at large); and among seven major New England cities, Providence stands alone in its lack of at-large representation.” • “Having several at-large seats on the Council will give the legislative branch more opportunities to give input to the executive branch on policies and actions that will affect the entire city, thus creating a better balance in visioning and decision-making. Reducing the number of wards to ten and introducing five at-large seats will maintain the Council at its current size… Research indicates that this two-to-one allocation is consistent with common practice in other large municipalities.” The 5+10 Coalition is a diverse group of citizens supporting and actively promoting this proposal, and we have found a very broad degree of consensus that at-large council members are needed. Public hearings on this issue will soon be scheduled so that we can create a model of citywide council elections that we can agree on. Many excellent ideas have been suggested, including using some form of proportional representation to choose the citywide members. Perhaps another ratio of ward to at-large seats would make sense. We should be willing to hear each other out. I am confident that we, the people of Providence, can agree on a proposal for citywide council members that is both fair and progressive, and will make ours a more forward thinking city government. Let’s work together toward a plan that fair and sensible, and put that proposal on the ballot in November. Sincerely, Cliff Wood Dear friends,

I have introduced this 5+10 ordinance to create at-large/citywide council seats because it makes sense for Providence. I offered the ordinance based on the hard work of the 2002 Charter Review Commission, which found the following:

• “The presence of at-large members will free the City Council as a whole from the constraints of ward politics, encourage big-picture thinking, and provide additional avenues for citizens to express concerns about citywide issues.”

• “Providence currently differs with many other communities across the state and the nation on the issue of at-large city council members. Of the major cities in Rhode Island, only Providence and Warwick do not have at-large council members (in most smaller towns, all council members are elected at large); and among seven major New England cities, Providence stands alone in its lack of at-large representation.”

• “Having several at-large seats on the Council will give the legislative branch more opportunities to give input to the executive branch on policies and actions that will affect the entire city, thus creating a better balance in visioning and decision-making. Reducing the number of wards to ten and introducing five at-large seats will maintain the Council at its current size… Research indicates that this two-to-one allocation is consistent with common practice in other large municipalities.”

The 5+10 Coalition is a diverse group of citizens supporting and actively promoting this proposal, and we have found a very broad degree of consensus that at-large council members are needed. Public hearings on this issue will soon be scheduled so that we can create a model of citywide council elections that we can agree on. Many excellent ideas have been suggested, including using some form of proportional representation to choose the citywide members. Perhaps another ratio of ward to at-large seats would make sense. We should be willing to hear each other out.

I am confident that we, the people of Providence, can agree on a proposal for citywide council members that is both fair and progressive, and will make ours a more forward thinking city government.

Let’s work together toward a plan that fair and sensible, and put that proposal on the ballot in November.

Sincerely,
Cliff Wood

]]> By: Dave Segal http://providencedailydose.com/2008/05/14/again-with-the-at-large-seats/#comment-5254 Dave Segal Thu, 15 May 2008 18:11:21 +0000 http://providencedailydose.com/2008/05/14/again-with-the-at-large-seats/#comment-5254 sounds better. but try talking some others into it... sounds better. but try talking some others into it…

]]> By: Nathan http://providencedailydose.com/2008/05/14/again-with-the-at-large-seats/#comment-5247 Nathan Thu, 15 May 2008 15:29:30 +0000 http://providencedailydose.com/2008/05/14/again-with-the-at-large-seats/#comment-5247 All your arguments are about a lack of proportionality for the at-large elections. Okay, so let's do 10-5 with proportional representation. Sound good? All your arguments are about a lack of proportionality for the at-large elections. Okay, so let’s do 10-5 with proportional representation. Sound good?

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