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Hold off on Carver Governance Model
The Gazette Opinion Staff
Dec. 17, 2009 3:21 pm
Is the Carver Governance Model right for the City of Cedar Rapids to adopt as its governance model for our community? A newly elected member of the city council indicated that a current colleague of his was working on it right now (http://www.carver
governance.com/
model.htm)
KCRG-TV9 pointed out in 2006 that our city manager, Jim Prosser, in his resume “prefers” Carver in governance. We know “The Balanced Decision Process” is being used. (http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/
2920716.html)
As I reflect on my work on the Local Home Rule Charter Commission in 2004-05, I believe we should have deep reservations about adopting the Carver Governance Model.
While many believe strongly in the council/manager form of government, many don't believe the early councils under our new form have done a good job completing the transition work.
Further, our community's culture plays an important role in governance. In the past, citizen boards and commissions have played a very important role in our community's success over the years.
I would urge the city council to avoid adopting Carver until it can justify it by showing that the board's pre-stated standards of prudence and ethics have been well established. I fear that the culture of our community and the lack of citizen buy-in would make Carver a divisive governance model.
Robin Tucker
Cedar Rapids
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