February 5, 2012
WHAT IF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WEREN’T DOING THEIR JOBS?
You might ask why and how that might happen?
What if they weren’t aware of what their jobs were? What their duties were? Or, what their obligations were? These are all very valid questions, especially if we, the citizens, aren’t aware of what their jobs are.
Citizens reasonably assume as candidates they ran for office and were elected, so they must know the responsibilities and duties of their position, right? Well, what if they don’t? And, to carry that proposition one step further, what would be the consequences if the City Manager, the Supervisors of departments such as Zoning, Planning, and Public Works, or even the Mayor weren’t aware of what their jobs were? The consequences in a word – dire.
Imagine the City Council, the Mayor, and the City Manager engaging simultaneously in areas, procedures, and actions of each other. Doing so without boundaries or parameters on behalf of city business, disregarding separation of powers, or any necessary training, background and knowledge. And, acting without the requisite legal authority to perform those functions or make any decisions in that capacity? What would that imply for our City?
Are Mayor Koos and the Normal Council doing what the citizens want? Well in 2003, when Koos became mayor, the per capita debt was $11.52, by 2011 the per capita debt increased to $1,725.18. This is a 15,000% increase in just eight years!