The city charter that created an elected mayor of the city of Portland was flawed in giving this position limited powers, leaving decision-making and policy direction to the city manager and council.
Conflicts were bound to happen. Mayor Ethan Strimling’s predecessor, Michael Brennan, made waves, but Strimling is rocking the boat, which is better than letting the namby-pamby style of government rule the roost as it has in the past.
This is a paid position that gives the mayor a full-time job, as opposed to the councilors, who meet part-time to slam the gavel “yea” or “nay.” The city manager is not an elected position but one at the discretion of the City Council. Why do we continue with this setup, which seems like a waste of city dollars? Give the power 100 percent to the mayor, with the council there to guide and assess, much like Congress does with the country’s president.
Strimling is a dynamic individual whose policies may not always be the best. But he has smarts, sincerity and drive; he works hard and he knows the political paths to pull this off. The charter should be revamped, the city manager’s position eliminated and the powers elected by the people of Portland allowed to do their stuff.
John Golden
Portland
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