Bob Cox resurrects his early 2009 blog on Full-Time vs. Part Time Mayor and much more therein. The posting to this particular are closed, but Bob has put back on the table a critical issue and I am opportunistically albeit briefly (for me), going to bring it back to a perspective that interests me.
I have frequently mentioned on TOTS and elsewhere that the duties and responsibilities of the mayor of New Rochelle, as indicated in the City Code, Article X to be precise, are certainly not followed as indicated.
There cannot be any dispute on this point; the only question is why is this the case. My position is and continues to be conform to the code or change it.
I cannot imagine that the language contained in any resolution for “strong mayor” would differ from the exercise of the duties performed by Noam at this point. If anyone has kept a copy of the language of the last referendum, please post it.
Ok, here is where I get in trouble with my friends and colleagues on TOTS. I believe this man to be a fine man with the potential of being an excellent mayor if he would embrace a few matters that have escaped him thus far. One would be to lighten up on the “political” and look for the leverage and linkages available and obvious in the two major deterrents to building a city tax base: (1) to figure out how to take a strong role in school district management and (2) taking the necessary steps in building a thriving and vibrant business district.
Many of you have diffferent, sometimes personal views and I respect these and will offer no defense of Noam — that is your experience. Mine has been different and I hope he will use my talents and those of a number of very articulate and community intelligent and city loving people (on TOTS) to bring this city where it should be. Politics be damned! Do what Lincoln did a century and a half earlier — get a confederate of so called enemies and thrive by positive diversity.
So, Noam is in fact a strong mayor. Nothing said otherwise is complete. Bob Cox has wisely brought this issue back before us and I have no comment on the content of the post other than what I have said.
I will close with this. The quality of posting here over the past 6 months has been phenomenal and this is the true voice of a community trying to grow. When Noam and the Council in general see that there are people down here and elsewhere who love the City, respect him or challenge him not as a man but as a leader, we will all benefit.
Read the Averted layoffs and other posts to see how important your voices are. Forgive the emotion, but as a man, I am very proud of you and thankful for Bob for bringing these voices to bear.
Bramson is a Ceremonial Mayor
The NR charter, section 10, Mayor states; He or she shall be recognized as the head of the City government for all ceremonial purposes… The only defined duties of the mayor is to preside over council, present an annual State of the City address and represent the city in intergovernmental affairs. The mayor also performs other duties specified by the Council as allowed by the Charter. The key word is CEREMONIAL. This is why the NR Mayor is a part-time position as acknowledged by Bramson’s personnel action form posted somewhere on TOTS. There is no other community which has a strong mayor and a city manager because it is redundant. I agree NR should have a strong mayor but the position of city manager must be terminated. A strong, full-time mayor should be responsible for the day to day operations as are most other strong mayors. The NR voters should have the opportunity to elect the person who runs the city on a daily basis as opposed to someone who fosters a 4 person political/personal allegiance.
Resurrection of an old post
Just a point of order — I do not resurrect old posts. For some reason, today, the article from 2009, was read by some people today. Enough read it that it got into the most popular list. Once it got into the most popular list other people saw it and read it. At some point it will drop back off the list and fade into the archives waiting to be discovered again some day.
Why the story got some interest today I can’t say. Just realize the “Most Popular Today” list is automated based on what readers are reading and not anything I do.
In any case, there are plenty of old chestnuts in the site that are worth reading, especially in the light of what happened since. Feel free to dig around.