Ashley Swearengin has become Fresno's third strong mayor, and there is little doubt now that the system is much better that the previous council/manager system in which the mayor was a member of the City Council with little additional authority. Critics of the previous system said it led to gridlock with seven "mini mayors" vying for power.
I took a look at the strong-mayor system in Fresno in this week's column. You can read it by clicking here. This column is a variation of a commentary I wrote on the subject for The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is proposing a strong-mayor system for his city, and my colleagues up north wanted to know about Fresno's experience under that system.
I welcome her as mayor and think she can bring some good things to Fresno. I don't think she is going to take crap off those council people.
Awesome column. I didn't live here when the strong-mayor system came into existence and have never fully understood what it meant. Thank you for helping me better understand. It's exciting to have a new wonderful president and a cool mayor too.
Having been in office but since January 6, how do you know that Mayor Swearengin is a 'strong mayor'??? Would the same be said of the other person in the race had won? There is no doubt that the new mayor has the power, but will she master the use of it?
If you read the column, you'll see that I said the strong-mayor system is working in Fresno based on the experience of the past 12 years. I only said that Swearengin is the third mayor under the strong-mayor change that went into effect in 1997. Not sure what your point is about whether I would say the same if the other person had one. That seems obvious. He would have been Fresno's third strong mayor.
"Ashley Swearengin has become Fresno's third strong mayor".............guess that means by virtue of the position and not any personal qualities yet to be displayed. Touche. Pont noted about the other chap.
MOI believes in a strong mayor system, but history in Fresno does not seem to back. Former mayor tried to do his job as he saw fit, and City Council did not like being left out of the loop. Ego came into play with council members.
The beauty of the system in place is that if 5 members can join together, they can override the mayor. Mind, the trick is to get 5 playing together. The City Council still wants to make themselves important in the governing of Fresno.
All of which leads MOI to recall the words of a university professor who was well versed in word play. Semantics..........do let us not argue.
MOI believes in a strong mayor system, but history in Fresno does not seem to back. Former mayor tried to do his job as he saw fit, and City Council did not like being left out of the loop. Ego came into play with council members.
Well, there is a difference between a strong mayor system and a municipal dictatorship. You would prefer the latter, perhaps?
Actually there is much to be said for a 'benign' dictator...........mind, MOI is a Roman Catholic and was spooned fed this belief from early age. Doubt that Ms. Swearengin would agree, but it would keep the City Council from trying to do her job as well.