The plan referred to in the title is Spear's idea for creating a "citizens' assembly" to review the current city charter and make recommendations for change, not the proposal for change that has already been brought forward. Of course, we know Mayor Kamal Johnson doesn't like that one either. He was quoted in the Register-Star describing the citizens' initiative as "making backroom decisions about city government without the citizens." Similarly, in the Times Union article, Johnson describes the citizens' assembly Spear is proposing as "taking a handful of people and making decisions for a city of 6,000 people."
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ReplyDeletePeter is not the enemy here. The cynicism lies squarely with the mayor who, no matter what or how you propose something, will belittle it. His objection that it's just a few people making decisions for 6000 citizens is pretty bold when one sees how he, the mayor, is currently forging ahead with a housing plan that is deeply at odds with a large portion of Hudson's populace and that has already led to some appointed members of the city administration to step down in protest.
ReplyDeleteWhat I know for a fact is that Peter opposes Kamal's plans for the same reasons that we here do.
My chief suggestion to him would be to make that his platform. A citizen assembly to reform the charter is still a good thing to pursue but it might not be the best thing to run on. But, if elected, he should initiate one.
In fact, any mayor who wants to move the machinery of governance more into the public eye would get my vote. We've seen tonight at the Charter Initiative meeting what a beautiful thing a room packed with engaged citizens can be.
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ReplyDeleteWhat we know is that Peter's running for mayor. I know that transparency of governance is going to be one of the pillars of his platform (and, looking at how Kamal does things, a much needed one) but probably not the only one.
DeleteI have not heard a single thing that would indicate he is launching his own petition.
Peter is well aware that he needs to become mayor to make an assembly happen. Kamal has over four years proven that he has zero interest in it.
Ok gotcha. So "B" running for mayor, and then as mayor use some version of Citizen Assemblies to effect change and unity.
ReplyDeleteGreat - Peter, if you are reading this... can you please tell us more about your platform and how you can make the City of Hudson more efficient and less political?