I would like to offer my perspective on the issue of the proposed dismantling of our commission form of government.
The Saratoga Citizen proposal wants a city manager. But the financial implications of this proposed charter change are unclear. The salary of the would-be new manager and other administrators are not fully articulated. What are the true hidden costs? I believe taxes will go through the roof. The proposed city manager will be expensive to hire and extremely expensive to buy out of a contract.
A previous charter commission appointed by former Mayor Ken Klotz and chaired by businessman Harvey Fox with members like Lew Benton, Elio Del-Sette and Denise Polit sought public and official testimony in numerous hearings and interviews. And they conducted a citywide poll in the local newspaper.
Yet, unfortunately, Mayor Scott Johnson abrogated his constitutional ability to appoint a charter commission. He soft-shoed around this issue so we, as taxpayers and citizens, must choose on Election Day.
We must spend our time and money to fight this particular ballot initiative.
Some people believe, as I do, that there are three legs to our local economy, things that make us what we are as a city with a thriving downtown: Saratoga Race Course, the City Center and Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
I believe there also are three legs to our Saratoga Springs civic life: The volunteerism of our citizens and their organizations, the vibrancy of the private sector and the commission form of government.
The new charter will not allow us to vote every two years on our elected City Council members. The structure of the new proposed council is like a school board. They have staggered terms so you can never vote out the entire council in an election.
We have a wonderful, award-winning city with safe streets and real neighborhoods. With a tax decrease this upcoming year, why would you vote to change?
HANK KUCZYNSKI
Saratoga Springs