The representative democracy formed by our federal and state constitutions, and further defined by the body of law enacted under those constitutions, requires that public policy decisions be made by our elected representatives.
In Maplewood, all council members and the Mayor are at large. That is, each elected official represents every citizen (the blue circle in our Venn diagram). The role of citizens is to elect and harangue, not to decide.
Ms. Longrie advocates [large pdf] a different form of government
More citizen and council involvement in setting the policy and direction of Maplewood’s future is called for. The struggle I see our City wrestling with is determining the degree to which citizens will be “allowed” involvement when the council and staff creates public policy or determines City spending. Personally, I feel an active citizenry must be part of the equation. Citizens want and deserve transparency and greater access to much-needed information so they can make informed, balanced decisions, participate in the community dialogue, and determine if their elected officials are making informed, balanced decisions on behalf of our community. Public involvement in creating public policy is critical.
The mutual pact we make as citizens, and swear to when elected, is to abide by the Constitution. All citizens, each and every one, are represented by officials elected for that purpose.
No one is free to make up a different set of rules just because they think it might be a good idea.
Stephan
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