Mayoral candidate also says he would open city balloting to 16- and 17-year-olds.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
By John Mariani
Staff writer
The creation of neighborhood assemblies, a new way of electing the Common Council and extending the vote to city 16-year-olds would be among the changes facing Syracuse voters if the Green Party candidate for mayor wins the new city charter he proposed Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at City Hall, Howie Hawkins said the changes he proposed would make city government more responsive, empower residents and build a "vibrant civic life" from the grass roots.
If he beats incumbent Democrat Matt Driscoll and Republican candidate Joanie Mahoney, Hawkins said, he would call for a charter commission to explore the feasibility of his ideas and make recommendations to the Common Council.
Hawkins' proposed changes include:
Ö Neighborhood assemblies in each of the city's 25 or so traditional enclaves. Residents would vote on development plans, guide city services and compel City Hall to respond to neighborhood needs.
Ö Neighborhood councils, with officers elected by the assemblies.
Ö Election by neighborhood assemblies of representatives to the Common Council, the Board of Education and other city commissions.
Ö Proportional representation on the Common Council, supplementing the assembly representatives. Rather than voting for individuals, voters would cast ballots for parties that would win seats on the council in proportion to the percentage of votes they receive. Hawkins said more people would come out to vote because every vote would count.
Ö Instant runoff voting for "single seat" positions, such as mayor. Rather than vote for one candidate, voters would rank the candidates for the office in order of preference. If more than two candidates seek the job and none wins a majority of votes, the lowest vote-getter would be eliminated and his votes would go to the voters' second choices. The process would continue until someone gets a majority.
Ö Public campaign financing.
Ö Extending the vote to 16- and 17-year-olds for local elections. They should be allowed to vote, since they pay taxes on wages and purchases and 17-year-olds can serve in the military, Hawkins said.
Daniel Maffei, Driscoll's campaign coordinator, said he wasn't sure if Hawkins' ideas were "practicable," but complimented "the spirit behind them."
A plan like Hawkins', with so many people making decisions, could grind government to a halt, said Mahoney. She agreed that more people ought to be involved, but she said the mayor ought to listen, then make decisions.
© 2005 The Post-Standard. Used with permission.
Posted by syracusegreens at October 5, 2005 11:34 PM