Monday, March 10, 2008

Charter revision 2/26

And here's the discussion on Charter revision: Tim White

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tim, Can you answer a question for me? Elizabeth Esty always brings up things that have holes in them. First she wanted a charter revision because of the senior petition. The fact that the seniors did not have a referendum on the issue had nothing to do with the charter, according to the town attorney the wording was not legal. Now she says that she wants a charter revision because of unaffiliated voters being disinfranchised. From what I understand you cannot be a member of the RNC or DNC but there is no reason that you cannot run for office as an independent. I also was under the assumption that there is nothing to stop the Dem's or Rep's from appointing an unaffiliated voter to a board or commission - am I correct? If I am correct - what is she talking about?

Anonymous said...

another comment from tim to tim

Anonymous said...

1:19PM Sorry, your wrong. The comment was posted by me and I would like an answer.

Anonymous said...

Marion,
Your understanding is correct. The D's & R's could appoint a person that is independent or unaffiliated if they chose to do so. Politics is driven by political party agendas and the R's & D's think that I's & U's will not support them.

South End said...

Bill-
I disagree. Unaffiliated voters do not lack any opportunities afforded to those that happen to be registered to a particular political party.

Anonymous said...

Wrong. They can be appointed according to the charter. It should be read.

Anonymous said...

Bill,
Esty said the Charter was written in a partisan manner and that people today do not like partisan politics. Well if the Dem's won't appoint I's & U's to boards and commissions unless they change to Dem's isn't that promoting partisan politics. The Dem's need to change their thinking not the Charter. She also wants to look at term limits - What, she doesn't want to run every two years?

Anonymous said...

She also wants to look at term limits - What, she doesn't want to run every two years?

"term limits" or "length of terms" ?

Anonymous said...

The point of being a U is not be affiliated with a specific political party. There are a few I's & U's appointed to boards and commissions
but to run for local office one either runs as a U or I or if supported by the D's or R's you have to change your registration to either a D or R.

Anonymous said...

Tim,
In the video she makes it sound like she doesn't think the council should run for office every two years. She also mentions At Large, but I didn't understand why she was referring to this specifically.

Anonymous said...

Bill-
No offense, but you seem to think that because political parties do not endorse unaffiliated's that the system is somehow broken. You can't have your cake and eat it too.