2005-01-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Hamilton commended the Task Force for producing a lively, readable and fun report. Ms. Hamilton asked if the Task Force, in their discussion of a mixed ward system, talked about how to equalize funding in a two tiered system with ward and at- large members since the cost of running would be less for ward candidates and the territory covered would be less. Mr. O'Brien said that different people might be able to run for each type seat and he feels it would be self-selecting. He said the Task Force talked about the fact that one would be more expensive, but they did not get into further discussion of it. Mr. Schilling asked that his statement, as follows, be entered verbatim into the minutes. "In reviewing the Report of the Charlottesville Elections Study Task Force, I am pleased with the information you present us tonight. I'd like to thank Sean 0 'Brien for doing an admirable job in what was often a thankless and difficult position. I'd also like to thank the members of the task force for their participation in this report, particularly those who did choose to participate substantially. I'd also tike to acknowledge and thank Sheri Iachetta and her staff for the tireless hours spent, above and beyond the call of duty, in assembling this report and in the staffing of this Task Force. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I'd tike to thank the members of the pubfic who participated in this process through their many correspondences to and appearances before the Task Force, often in spite of great pressure or duress to remain silent. Without getting into the specifics of the report, although I urge interested citizens to read the report, and it's available in its entirety on the city website: www. charlottesville, org; and at City Hall. I wouM like to comment generally on a few areas of the information presented and then make some concluding remark,': The History of the Convention of the Elections Task Force: In the context ora discussion about moving the City's elections to November in order "to increase our low voter turnout, "I called for a study of three items that I believed wouM be more effective ways to raise voter turnout, if that was in fact the reason for moving our local elections from May to November. The suggestions for additional areas of study were; 1) Direct election of Mayor 2) Move council to a ward-based system 3) Increase the number of councilors By a majority vote of the previous council, these ideas were not taken up in the context of the original study to move elections (although they are intricately related to the issue of voter turnout and thus, they should have been), they were, after much discussion and dissention among the previous council, given to this Elections Task Force for exploration and evaluation. Perceived Problems: I would tike to note that the word "perception" shouM be considered equally in this report. Just as those people who noted problems are described as "perceiving" them, so should those who noted "no problems" and thus fclvored the status quo be referenced as "perceiving" their stated positions. If there are "perceived" problems then it is merely the perception on the part of some that our current electoral system is fine just as it is. Concerns Over Low Turnout: