2008 Not So Great... 2009 We'll Be Fine. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hannukkah, Happy Kwaanza, Happy Holidays....

More from Allan Cameron: The idea that the job of City Councilmember in a City like Santa Clarita is some kind of part time advisory position is a cruel fiction. When I was researching the issue of what it really meant to have a City in the early and mid 80's, the laziest Councilmember I found, out of the dozens I visited, spent 30 hours a week on their Council job. To serve their citizens, good councilmembers work at it 40 to 50 to 60 or more hours each week. Doing it less simply means the job isn't getting done as well as the responsibilties demand.

To work 60 or more hours a week as a councilmember limits anyone's ability to have some other job. This means that many thoughtful people who would make outstanding public servants never will even try. A City council position should pay a decent living wage, so that more good people can serve, and all those that do can do their city council jobs without distraction. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I was pleased and honored to be one of the 15 members of the Santa Clarita City Formation Committee Steering Committee.

City Formation is still a work in progress If anyone wishes, please feel free to send me an email at ac_cdc@msn.com. (the symbol between ac, and cdc in the email address is an underscore symbol/mark)

From Allan Cameron: Typically local governments aren't organized like this at all. In fact, city government, particularily General Law city government, is so different from a state or federal model, that it is best discard any such comparisons. They only serve to increase the justified confusion. Adding further to common confusion, is the very radical difference among the operation of a General Law city, which most Cities are, compared with how each and every Charter City functions. Each Charter City has a basis for operating that is as unique as a snowflake, contrasted with others. (I didn't understand any of this until I began to work on forming a City here.)

Read more...

The City of Santee, in San Diego county, is the most recent California city to adopt the charter city form of government. With a population of 56,068, 69.42% of Santee voters approved Proposition P in the November 4th, 2008 election.

The Santee City Council recently voted to support becoming a charter city to give Santee more authority over municipal affairs and better protection from intrusive state legislation, including unfunded state mandates. In approving Proposition P, Santee citizens reinforced their belief that a government based on the concept of local control and home rule is the most effective way to operate. A charter city derives its powers from the State Constitution, not the general laws of the state legislature. Santee will be able to create laws and regulations that better reflect their community and are not subject to powerful special interest groups at the state level. By approving Proposition P, the citizens of Santee reaffirmed strong local governance.

Charter cities have increased flexibility and discretion in their decision making. This flexibility can translate into a reduction of bureaucratic red tape and improvements in the City's delivery of service. Changes in the way the City contracts for goods and services could result in substantial savings, both in time and money. In a world where financial resources are limited, it is important to consider every opportunity to save taxpayer money. Changing to a charter city will not cost residents more money. There are no additional taxes involved with making this change.

LEARN MORE AND READ THEIR CHARTER: http://www.smartvoter.org/2008/11/04/ca/sd/prop/P/