1979-09-19 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Regular Meeting 9/19/79 7 4. JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH CHARTER REVIS-ION COMMITTEE (CONTINUED) B. Mr. Bill Love was recognized and asked for a blackboard to see how efficient the proposed type of government would be. Mr. Love drew on the board the present type of government, stating as is, if there was a sewer problem, you would call the Commission in charge of sewer. He in turn would call the City Administrator. The work would then be done on a one to one basis. You can vote on all five of the officials, or 100. Under the proposed seven member government you will only vote on the three at large and the one from your district, or 57~ of the City Council. Mr. Love then asked how efficient this would be? He felt that you have diluted the voting power and efficiency. He then asked if La Porte was under any mandate to change the form of government. The answer was "no". C. Ms. Stella Bramer was recognized and stated that she felt that her family was not counted during the census and did not feel that they would get proper representation with part of Fairmont Park in their district. D. Mrs. Eugenia Riley stated that she agreed with Mrs. Bramer • and felt that the Blacks did not get a proper count in the census. She further stated that the Blacks needed a representative; that the past officials had drawn the district lines; she and Robert Daniel were overruled on their proposed district lines. The only way that a district could be drawn for the minority would be from 16th Street, east, to Main Street, if something could be cut. Mrs. Riley further stated that the only time that Whites in Fairmont Park would come out and vote would be when a Black is running. Mrs. Riley stated that she wholeheartedly disagreed with the proposed four district plan as placed on the map. E_ Mr. H. P. Pfeiffer stated that the City Manager works at the will and pleasure of the entire Council. He does not have a contract. If they are not satisfied with his work, then he will go. At the present time, when a Commissioner is elected, that does not mean that they have any expertise in that area. They are elected either by popularity or lose by the person you like least. The area which Mr. Pfeiffer took the census, the area north of Spencer and Fairmont, he stated that he did not go door to door. He would go to a house, interview that person, asked about the people living beside them and the nationality. It • is not necessary to go to every house.