“I’m not stunned that with none of that background data or context that voters wouldn’t assist these adjustments,” Harrington mentioned.
The duty drive spent 20 months inspecting the construction of native authorities. In a report back to the council in early 2020, the duty drive concluded the present system is “basically unfair,” notably for individuals of colour and low-income residents, and one which favors individuals with the time, sources and data to take part.
Harrington mentioned she felt there wasn’t a “significant effort” from the council to coach the general public on the duty drive’s work earlier than the vote.
Amongst its varied suggestions, the duty drive steered transferring to a full-time, 10-member council with members paid $67,950 yearly and elected to four-year phrases.
Former Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who served two phrases from 2003 to 2011, has been a vocal critic of the proposed adjustments and advocated preserving the present “citizen physique” construction.
“I hope Madisonians don’t simply see this as one thing they rejected but in addition as one thing they assist,” he mentioned of the vote outcomes. “I hope there’s a renewed appreciation for his or her neighbors who step as much as work on the council for little cash or recognition, however simply to serve the group.”
Cieslewicz mentioned he was stunned to see the urge for food for implementing time period limits, however it’s one thing he opposes as a result of “individuals ought to get the chance to vote for who they need to vote for.”
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