Hubris in Austell
The dictionary defines "hubris" as excessive self-confidence or arrogance, and in the City of Austell, in the person of its Mayor, Joe Jerkins, hubris is the defining trademark of his administration.
This came to light most graphically when he decided to not assign two city council members to chairmanships of standing committees. According to South Cobb Patch news reports, this action was in retaliation for council members, Martin Standard and Trudie Causey, voting against awarding a contract to a company that owed the city $19,000 in back taxes, and which had previous contracts with the city and had not paid the money.
Another factor that might have been in play is Standard and Causey supporting recently elected councilwoman Suzanne Thomason, who ran against the Mayor's choice, former incumbent Randy Green. In defending his action, the mayor said he based his decision on the basis of "people working with me" [read going along with whatever I want] and that "it's the mayor's choice and that's the way it is." (emphasis mine)
What is one to make of this kind of pettiness and peevishness? Is this a mature and responsible way to govern a city? And can it not also be seen as an abuse of power?
While his action was legal in the strictest sense of the word, it belies a problem which has vexed Austell for years, namely too much authority in the office of the mayor. Moreover, it is bad governance because it mis-allocates the workload, with three council members chairing two committees, one chairing one, and two chairing none. We elect our council members to do the work of the people, and when two members are denied a fair and equitable opportunity to do their jobs, then we, the people ,are the losers. What this situation cries out for is a radical re-structuring of the City's Charter, whereby the Mayor would be required to assign ALL council members with committee assignments, re-institute a city manager and term limits.
Speaking of the City Charter, when was the last time it was reviewed, and how accessible is it? As things stand now, the only way citizens can review the Charter is to go to the City Clerk's office and read it in her office. If you want a copy, or selected pages from it, you have to pay for it.
This is the antithesis of transparency in local government. A step in the right direction would be to have the full text of the Charter on the city's website; one of many items which needs to be there, but which is not. The city should also establish a Charter Review committee whose members would be appointed by the council and mayor. The committee could then submit its recommendations to the council for rejection or approval. It would be a great way to engender greater citizen involvement; something which is sorely lacking in Austell.
When I lived in Lewisville, TX, the city had a practice of having citizens review its charter every four years for the purpose of updating it to keep it relevant to changing conditions and circumstances, and doing so served the city very well. We can do it here in Austell. All it takes is the will and determination of the people and its elected representatives.
James Bell
1:08 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Mr. Lamberton, I agree, basic government documents should be put online. Perhaps you would do a public service and post it somewhere online. Then the 3 people who care about it can read it for themselves. I assume there is a copy at the public library. I bet if you asked the city clerk she would give you a copy to place there if not.
Also, the city does periodically review and update the charter (see below). Did you attend this hearings? The public was given the opportunity to comment.
M-6561 CITY OF AUSTELL, GEORGIA NOTICE OF ORDINANCE AMENDING CHARTER Notice is hereby given that the City Council for the City of Austell, Georgia, will be considering and voting on an ordinance amending Section 2.41 of the Charter for the City of Austell, State of Georgia, amending the percentage of gross revenues that the Austell Gas System pays to the City of Austell each fiscal year. This ordinance will be considered by the Council at the regularly scheduled City Council meetings scheduled for Monday, December 5, 2011 beginning at 7:00 p.m. and Monday, January 9, 2012 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The City Council meetings are held at City Hall located at 2716 Broad Street, Austell, Cobb County, Georgia 30106. A copy of the proposed amendment is on file in the office of the clerk for the City of Austell and in the office of the clerk of Cobb Superior Court for examination and inspection by the public."
http://classifieds.georgiapublicnotice.com
Bruce
5:34 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Let's see, Lamberton, the reporter of this article, is the guy who could not get elected in Nov. 2011 to the Austell City Council?
And now the Patch has him reporting about Austell?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm........................................
Kiri Walton
5:39 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Hi Bruce, Lance Lamberton is not a reporter and this is not an article. This, like the other posts on Patch labeled "Local Voices" is a blog post. If anyone is interested in blogging, please email me at kiri.walton@patch.com. Thanks!
Bruce
5:33 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Lamberton is RIGHT. THERE IS A PROBLEM IN AUSTELL!
Why didn't the Austell Police Dept. take Lamberton into custody when his wife repeatedly called them for help against her own husband?
Why didn't the Austell Police Dept. take Lamberton into custody when his wife went to the police station, filed a report against her drunken, violent husband and asked for help?
OK, Lance Lamberton, why don't you do a story about this?
And Susan Thomason won by a couple of votes only because some absentee ballots for incumbent Randy Green did not arrive in time to be counted.
Read the stories about Lamberton on the South Cobb Patch and the MDJ. For the Patch stories, type in Lance Lamberton and see what comes up.
James Bell
1:30 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
At least the sign in front of city hall doesn't say "For Sale" like some American cities.
On committees... How about abolishing all city committees and let the council do the job they are hired to do. How's that for a small more efficient government?
BTW... does the council members get paid more for committee meetings?
Bruce
4:46 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Good points, James.
Austell has the lowest tax rates of any city in Cobb. Austell has one of the lowest crime rates of any city in the metro Atlanta region.
Let's be grateful for what we have.
Bruce
4:48 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Hey, at the top of this page by Lamberton's photo is written "Media and Public Relations Consultant."
What?
Who you consultin' with Lance? Your wife?
Bruce
5:50 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
You know, I'm about to get tired whipping this dead horse.
I'll keep an eye on you Lance, but the more you write, the more people will know what you are about. And there will be a great record the next time you run for office.
James Bell
10:17 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Bruce I am going to report you to the human society! Leave the horses alone.
Virginia
12:49 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Good points guys, keep up the good comments. I love them.