Clarification

In Friday’s editorial on the upcoming Gonzales City Charter election, I said City Manager Allen Barnes supported the state’s effort to move to online public notices. Barnes informed me Monday morning that he has no opinion on the outcome of the bills pending before the legislature. I stand corrected.

Barnes did correctly point out that I did not mention the other 29 items on the ballot.

I agree with the City Manager that nearly all of those represent changes that would be in the best interest of the city and its citizens — Especially when it comes to the provision for staggering three-year terms for the Mayor and City Council members. A study of voter turnout readily shows that in recent history voters in the two districts that are selecting a council member have chosen the Mayor.

Clearly, the Mayor represents the entire city and everyone should voice their opinion on which candidate will do the best job — not just two council districts.

One item on the ballot creates term limits for council members.  Most voters have their own strong opinions about whether term limits are a good idea. Some people believe it’s too difficult to turn out incumbents and that this measure will ensure no one stays in city government too long. Others are passionately against throwing out a perfectly good council member or mayor just because they have been in office for a while.

In a nutshell, 28 items on the ballot are simple housekeeping referenda. They need voter approval to help bring the charter up to date with changes in our community and the State of Texas. By voting yes, you authorize making simple changes to the charter that help make the document itself consistent, easily understood, and consistent with state law.

Also, to further clarify what I wrote in Friday’s paper, I strongly believe in printing public notices in the newspaper — whether it’s here or with the guys down the street.

I also believe that city hall, as it currently operates, operates transparently. Barnes has always been responsive to questions from this newspaper. I just believe newspaper public notices are kinda like setting a reasonable curfew for my daughters. It doesn’t mean you believe someone is going to misbehave, but it sure can go a long way toward preventing some guy who comes along in the future from taking liberties.