Vote ‘No’ to Proposed Change of Government

To The Editor:
An important Question No. 1 is posted on the upcoming Nov. 2 ballot regarding changing the current form of our city’s government from the “3 commission form” to the “Council-Manager Plan” without the public ever being consulted. This Resolution No. 325-8-10 was passed at a special meeting on Thurs., Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. by Mayor Gary DeMarzo and Commissioner Ed Harshaw (Commissioner Brannon was absent).
Knowing this, a group of taxpayers, Kathy Mills, Kathy and John Conrad, and Lenny Gilwa, to name a few, recently attended several impromptu meetings to express their serious concerns regarding DeMarzo’s, Brannen and Harshaw’s push to change our current form of government without voters input. We want to be represented by our leaders. No information was posted about the new form of government selected by our governing body on the City of Wildwood’s website as stated it would be by DeMarzo several months ago at a commissioners’ meeting. No informational brochures were sent, no special meetings…nothing. This is wrong.
Now voters are faced with responding to the following question on the Nov. 2 ballot; Local Question No. 1: “Shall the Council-Manager Plan of the Optional Municipal Charter Law providing for five council members to be elected at large for staggered terms at elections held in November with the mayor elected by the council from among its members be adopted by the City of Wildwood?” How can voters intelligently and responsibly respond to this question without any facts? How is the Municipal Manager appointed? Why wasn’t a Charter Study completed so residents could be informed about this form of government and what it involves?
DeMarzo stated he wanted to save money, but at whose expense? Why weren’t several special meetings held, at the very least, so residents could gain knowledge about this change? Should voters go to the polls and vote blindly and follow our leaders…where? Having no knowledge of this form of government and not knowing how many of the 566 municipalities in our state are operating under this form who can make an intelligent decision? What are the pros and cons? How much will it cost? Does the mayor and five council members all get salaries, pensions, and how much? If everyone is “at large” who will be accountable to constituents and how?
The list of unanswered questions goes on and on. Some residents agree our current form of government isn’t working, but what will? Possibly we should follow North Wildwood’s example and adopt their successful form of Mayor-Council-Administrator with each council member in charge of specific districts in their town. Wildwood is a diverse city with many needs. Having a council member in charge of each of our five districts would bring accountability to the office and responsiveness to constituents.
What happened to transparency and being the voice of the people? What happened to representing the public and being a public servant? So on Tues., Nov. 2, vote “no” to Question No. 1 and send the right message back to our public servants. Voters will not be coerced into making a decision on something this important.
SANDRA RICHARDSON
Wildwood
(ED. NOTE: Richardson can be contacted at Richardson.Sandra@comcast.net)