When I tell people our city government has gone off the rails, it is NOT an exaggeration. The city attorney and city clerk told ‘Triple Check the Charter’ organizers according to their ‘OPINION’ that only the 15 committee members could circulate the petition. BUT that is NOT in charter, it has to be approved by the voters to make that amendment, and that is what they are attempting to do at the CRC meeting next week.
So how is it that the city can implement a RULE that hasn’t been changed in the Charter yet? I don’t know. And, what if the voters don’t agree with the rule? There is a distinct possibility that they won’t.
I have maintained that an attorney’s opinion (any attorney) is just that an opinion. Unless a judge rules differently (case law) or the voters approve an amendment to the charter.
The city has already admitted that there has never been a petition drive to change the charter, in other words there is NO precedent.
The primary purpose of the petition and vote is to restore public participation in their government. Indeed, it’s not THEIR government if a commission can change it retroactively and THEY have no voice. Home Rule Charter is out of control. There is now no of, by, and for THE PEOPLE. Hence, no democracy.
The city attorney needs a lawyer. The 15 are a partnership that can hire contractors for a penny an hour. The partnership is responsible for signatures, not the contractors. It’s a double reverse on the penny arrest bond the mayor used to prevent speakers at Public Comment. If it was a LIE when the city acknowledged the petition with the city seal, nothing wrong with being creative when collecting signatures.
This matter is starting to sound like media that will prevent a mayor from getting re-elected.
Our great democracy will never be destroy by invasion or bullet, but it could be incrementally.