August 18, 2024
I’m excited that the Elgin City Council is asking voters to consider the Model Charter for Elgin this fall! This document makes elected officials more accountable to the people and enfranchises them with more rights. The Model Charter empowers the Mayor to make all Committee appointments with the approval of the Council, a provision that will make one elected official responsible and therefore accountable for ensuring that our City committees are appropriately filled. Going back to at least 1950, voters have regularly rejected making the City Administrator appointed rather than elected, and the proposed Charter keeps this position elected. However, the Council will be empowered to fill a vacancy in the office for more than 6 months at a time. The existing 6-month stipulation currently prevents Elgin voters from filing a recall against a Pro-Tem City Administrator, and removing the cap will enfranchise Elgin voters with recall rights. Lastly, the City Charter’s filing window to run for office is shorter than the State’s window, this year leaving citizens with just 13 days to file rather than the 3 months to which most other Oregonians are entitled. The new Charter will allow the Council to adopt State elections laws by reference and enfranchise Elgin voters with the right to a 3-month filing window to run for office. I encourage all of my friends in Elgin to vote yes!
Editor’s Note: Alex McHaddad is the City Administrator Pro-Tem of Elgin, OR, the Jewel of the Blue Mountains.
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