"Power" Of The Chair
Mike, Your question about the “power” of the Chair has had me thinking all day long. Here’s my answer. The “power” of the chair is probably the wrong word. It implies a level of control that is overstated. The power of the Chair is better described as influence. All Boards have a Chair. The Chair is seen as the “leader” of the Board by virtue of his or her position. He or she typically runs the meeting, calling it to order, managing the agenda for the meeting, and calling for any votes that may occur. The Chair has the responsibility to set the tone and pace of the meetings, and a good Chair can run a meeting, and a bad Chair can ruin a meeting. We’ve all sat in meetings and wondered, “How did this person end up in that chair?” By the same token, we’ve all seen people who have a natural ability to lead, and exert their “power” by using their ability to influence. In the Charter Amendment that was approved by a majority of the at-large, countywide electors, no specific legal powers are attributable to the Chair beyond those that currently exist. The primary differences are a 4-year term, and the fact that the Chair is elected by the citizens, not fellow Board members who are fulfilling some ceremonial task. What I expect from the elected Chair is that he or she voices the problems that face this County, and how they propose to deal with them. The “same-old same-old” blame the previous commissioners won’t cut it. As an elected Chair, the pressure is on to have results, or get un-elected. Who can we blame for the current transportation situation in Clay County? I know – the previous commissioners. Which ones? Heck, they’ve all been Chair of the BCC at one time or another. Many served more than once. With all due respect to the previous commissioners, no one seemed to be able to see what was coming our way. Or, if they did, no one was able to lead us to a different “destination”. We have arrived at the Port of Too-Many-People-Not-Enough-Roads. I have to believe that Clay County would have been better served if someone, anyone, had had the responsibility, the mandate, to guide our growing vessel differently. Maybe I’m expecting too much. I just really believe that at the place we are now, with so much future growth (and accompanying headaches), and the poor state of our transportation infrastructure, this County of 180,000-ish people deserves to have a leader of the BCC that we get to have a say in who it is. Bill.
Submitted by OneMann on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 10:28am.
When we talk about the vision, articulation and leadership of a four-year chairman, we're really talking about a single person's plan for handling Clay County growth. Growth of population, growth of demand for services and infrastructure, and growth of the tax burden required to fun it all. I don't think citizens will ultimately benefit by investing that in a single elected leader, unless the goal is to faciliate growth. A four-year chairmanship, in the wrong hands, could also become the lead character in a book titled "How to Manipulate Your Local Government," authored by any successful lobbyist. Just imagine four years of the kind of leadership that was exhibited by a Commission Chairman whose judgment led to the hiring of incompetents as County Manager and Public Works Director. Bill, I guess it all boils down to this difference for us. You see this position for what it could be and all the good it should accomplish. I see it in the perspective of my newsroom experience and Clay County's political history, and think the potential dangers far outweigh those benefits. Michael S. Mann
Submitted by Marsha on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 11:29am.
I have always been against "more" goverment on general principal. I agree that the "potential danger" for abuse by increasing the power of that Chair once it gets put into effect is a very valid concern. All other things aside, good intentions, looking through rose colored glasses etc can't argue those two elements away. The whole garbage issue should have been voted on by the people, not decided by a select few.
Submitted by TruthHurts on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 11:38am.
I can't agree with you more, the people should have decided that issue. I was very happy with the removal service I selected for myslef, and the fees they charged me. What happened to the concept of a free market society here. Whats next, is the goverment going to tell me where to shop.
TRUTHHURTS
Submitted by islander on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 11:46am.
If you check out who gave money to our good old boy commissioners, you will see whether it is 5 or 7, chairman or no chairman, we don't stand a chance of stopping growth in Clay county. Those boys get too much money from developers to ever represent the people. They represent themselves, and how to get re-elected, and it takes money. What is the adage, an honest man can never be elected, and a truly honest many would not want to be elected.
Submitted by OneMann on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 5:08pm.
Islander, you pinched one of my political nerves. It really doesn't matter if the County Commission numbers 5, 7 or any other number that may result from some future Charter Amendment. It won't ever matter if the same group of special interest campaign financiers continue their successful efforts to buy candidates and elections. Meaningful change will only happen when, or if, voters start demanding viable independent candidates with fresh perspectives to start replacing the candidates put forward by the same ol' folks who've been running things from being the scenes. Michael S. Mann
Submitted by islander on Sun, 02/24/2008 - 5:14pm.
Bax, 100% in agreement with you. You just have to have the cash to make an effective campaign. SOSDD - Same old Stuff, Different Day. To quote an old Draget intro, "only the names have been changed to protect the guilty." To elect the same old people, and expect any change is insanity. People are talking about ...Here are the recent blog postings with the most comments. |
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We are going in the direction of the Professional County Manager. None of the Commissioners have the expertise to address the individual problems of the county. Just take the different jobs they have as their profession.
As much as we would like to blame the negligent Commissioners which they were in the past years.
The biggest fault was not hiring professionals to be in those positions and recommend those policies. procedures and a direction for the county.
When the BCC meeting is over they direct the county manager and asked him to direct the employees which are his staff.
You could be anybody and understand we have serious transportation problems in the county and if we would have had a professional he would have seen the out of control train coming before it wrecked.
The one we had didn't even know what Mr. Ivey was doing. Mr. Ivey wasn't a qualified professional and didn't know what he was doing. He was just doing what the board directed him to do and the employees followed. Thus an illegal dumping scandal was born.
That's why a professional county manager is the key to the county's success not the Commissioners he just makes them look good. The other county manager made them look bad and cost of money.
The County Manager is the CEO of the county he develops the budget, he has the staff, he directs his staff and he directs the county in the way the Commissioners direct him. Just because a Chairman wants a highway to relieve all traffic problems in the county doesn't mean he will get it. He will consult with the county manager who will tell him we don't have the money. The county manager suggest ways to fund those projects impact fees, sales tax options, bonds, and private developers with private funds could build us some roads too.
If I had to pick one key pivotal position it would be the county manager. That will determine our success. He will either make them look good or look bad we have witnessed the latter.