After recent events, I believe the Dover Charter needs to be updated, to address some serious holes that have become apparent. What is the purpose of the city charter? In short, to ensure that our city runs smoothly and fairly.
Some things that should be included are:
- The complete duties and responsibilities of the City Council president. There have been some questionable issues, for which it appears that Council President Fred Neil has overstepped his authority. Plus, the charter should include a clear outline of what items and topics the full council should be advised on and what items and topics they should be allowed to give input on, to ensure complete transparence and fairness across the board.
- The ability to stop the automatic raises that council and the mayor will receive every time a new budget is approved. Our citizens do not get raises every year.
- Guidelines on what must be cut or sacrificed before any fee increases are passed on to our citizens, especially our most vulnerable citizens.
- Special elections to vote on how grants are awarded to nonprofits. The taxpayers should decide if it is prudent to give citizens grants to, for example, install an air conditioning unit or artificial grass at a personal business.
- An easier way to get information about the city without going through a Freedom of Information Act request. The city has a poor history of failing to give out information that falls under the Freedom of Information Act. It has been found guilty of violating FOIA requests a few times in the past. This does not paint the city in a very good light.
- A mandate that the charter should be reviewed and updated every few years, to address new items that are not covered under the current charter.
- An emergency clause to allow certain city charter guidelines to be suspended when an extreme emergency occurs. We, as citizens, should never hear that we cannot make a change because the charter cannot be changed or because of constraints from the state.
These suggestions are being presented from a concerned citizen.
William G. Faust Jr.
Dover
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
