HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 08-26 CHCMMinutes of the Proceedings of the
BROOKLYN CENTER CHARTER COMMISSION
Public Hearing, Social Hall
Thursday, August 26, 1976
Call to order: The meeting was called to order by acting chairman, Barbara Swart.
Present: Commissioners Edwin Theisen, Barbara Swart, Orlander Nelson, Viola Kanatz,
Cheryl Asplund nichard Higgins and Ilona Hintzman.
Absent: Commissioners Bob DeVries (out of town), James Gillen (out of toUm),
Betty Johnson, Frank Kampmeyer, Glen Rullick, Mildred Rendrickx (out of
town), Henry Dorff(out of town) and 'Talter Vennewitz.
Minutes: Notion by Commissioner Felson, seconded by Commissioner Kanatz that the
minutes of June 23 be approved. Motion carried.
Public Hearing on ?lard System!
Henry Bogucki, 7000 Quail Avenue forth: Ile opposes ward system as a step
backward. It lends itself to petty politics. Councilmen should represent
the entire community.
Dick Rodenborn, 6546 Tlillow hane north favors the ward system. It gives
citizen better chance to know councilman. The ward system brings greater
accountability to the council and voter. The councilman can't hide in
the crowd. Minorities are better represented, easier to attract candi-
dates, cheaper and easier to campaign in one *..yard. At 20(,' per voter,
campaign costs are $4,200 to run at large, only the affluent can run.
Councilmen would have a smaller constituency, the city would have a shorter,
simpler ballot. City government would be more accessible through the ward
system. A small minority can't dominate the council. A ward system would
mean a smaller chance of one party control over a long period of time.
The ward's special interests are protected. Voters feel a greater sense of
participation.
Forest Elliott, 3224 65th Avenue North,opposes the ward system as big city
politics. There are political pay -offs with ward system.
Bob Jensen, 6330 Humboldt Avenue North believes the ward system would be
detrimental to Brooklyn Center. r <Te are small geographically and have
maintained good geogrnahic representation. Minorities are part of the
council. The council has responded to citizen complaints. The citizen
has five people he can contact. Each councilman represents each citizen.
In the ward system, good candidates could be excluded. The ward system
encourages trade offs and votes. Human nature enters in and dynasties
develop more easily in the ward system. Power in the ward can be abused
and can develop into full time bureaucracy. The ward system can weaken
representation and not loop, at the total city question. The community is
now divided into four school districts, by freeways and higheays. The at
large system does broaden the base to draw from. The at large system does to
take more money. His own campaign will cost about 10-A, per voter or about
$2,000. A person should be judged by the total community. A councilman
should not be -ut in the position where he makes the sole decision. The
at large system is more responsive, more efficient.
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Charter Commission, 8/26/76
is Barbara Jensen, 6539 Drew Avenue North favors the at large system. The
over all good of the city should be considered. It would be cumbersome
to establish ward lines after each census.
Vince Tubman, 6425 Girard Avenue North favors the ward system. There is
more local or neighborhood input with ward system. In the at large
system, local control is given lip service. The constituency is greater
than that of state legislator. Door knocking, face to face campaigning
is best in Brooklyn Center. It takes two to three months to cover the
city. Other ways of getting to the electorate such as media are expen-
sive. More candidates would come forth with the ward system. Now one
needs to join a political organization to run and then have an obligation
to the organization. The city council should represent all walks of
life. The ward system would foster the competitive system.
Leon Binger, 2800 Mumford Road, favors the at large system. History
would prove that the community is not too large for an at large campaign.
It is not easy to knock on doors, the campaign is a test of the candidate';
commitment. The legislative district is not significantly smaller.
Brooklyn Center is nQt likely to grow from. it 35,000 Population. The
state demographer projects a population of 35 to 37,000 people in ten
years, but the mix of age is changing. It has worked in the past to
cover the entire city. At least basic factors will not change. Last
year's campaigns cost from $1500 to @000.
Tony Schelonka,4201 71st Avenue North asked what's the problem. If we're
having good government, we don't need to change. He doesn't think the
ward system provides good government. The City Charter should provide
good government and I think it does. Candidates for council should get
involved in the community before running for office. The charter
provides for good government in Brooklyn Center.
Henry Bogucki states that candidates could campaign at coffee parties.
People could ask questions of the candidates. The ward system lends
itself to single prupose candidates and to bigots and racists.
Dick Rodenborn announced a private poll taken where 90% said no to the
reponsiveness of city government.
Adjournment: Motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Rich Biggins to adjorn
the meeting. Motion carried.
Chairman: henry Dorff
Secretary Barbara Swart
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Sexton
Sec;7etarial Assistant
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