LETTERS: Mayor, editor agree to disagree
To the Editor:
Since I was elected mayor, the editor and I have agreed to disagree about information printed in the newspaper. Did it make us adversaries? No. Sometimes I expressed my disagreement in private conversations and sometimes I have responded in a letter or article in the newspaper.
In a Feb. 6 editorial, the editor raised some questions for the residents of Marion to ponder. She also raised some issues to which I want to respond.
The council amended an ordinance. It will allow a resident who wants to erect a structure larger than that allowed in the ordinance to appeal their plan to the zoning appeals board to ask for a variance. Number five in the ordinance printed in the paper of the same date states this.
She stated residents should attend the council meetings to see what occurs and actions taken by the council. This is exactly what I have asked residents to do ever since I was running for the position of mayor.
Whenever possible, I want the council to discuss issues in open meetings. At the last meeting there were a lot of questions brought up that may have been better handled in a work session.
I am still learning and will continue to learn by my mistakes. At times at the regular meeting, I need more input from those coming to the council with an issue (the bathrooms at the ballpark) or with an ordinance being discussed for approval in order to make a decision.
This is what I think happened at the last meeting. If you read the articles in the newspaper, you will see I asked the same question twice.
I brought up the snow removal policy to be reviewed because I have received calls after every storm this winter from someone concerned about the snow removal in the downtown business area.
Les Broadstreet has talked to business people to get their input on the matter. I appreciated his efforts. I hope by reviewing the policy already written or some small changes in the policy will lead to a safer place for the residents to park and shop after a storm.
Remember however, all storms are different and the city crew will probably be making the final decisions as to when snow removal will help or hinder the efficient use of city equipment and if it would be better to let Mother Nature take care of the snow.
In regard to the training and knowledge needed to be a council member, I would like to raise some questions to be considered, too.
Do you want to have someone who has graduated from college with a degree in city government? Do you want a person who wants all decisions made by the one person that may have this degree? Do you want someone who is willing to listen to the residents of the community and use this information to make decisions? Do you want someone who is not afraid to express their opinions in the open meeting? Do you want someone who tries to get the opinions and information needed to make decisions? Do you want to make qualifications for the position so difficult that no one will want to take the time to become qualified? Do you want to have a person who will listen to your concerns, then act on those concerns until such time the problem has been resolved to the satisfaction of the majority?
These and other questions must be considered by you as you are preparing to vote on two positions on the city council. I hope you also took the opportunity to attend the public forum Sunday to hear the five candidates vying for the positions.
Mary Olson, mayor
City of Marion
