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Dear participants, I attended one public meeting that your task force organized in Recreation precinct, and though I remained silent there, I'd still like to offer just a couple of simple thoughts on the subjects of elections by wards and direct election of the mayor of our wonderful city. The idea that a councilor elected from a particular neighborhood will more narrowly represent the wishes of that area bothers me. This is a small city, and forever will be because of its geographical constraints. Within its borders I've observed for thirty-six years a grand tradition of thinking about the whole, about all the people in all walks of life. It has seemed to me that our local representatives have interrupted their lives to contribute to the public good, and that their actions have not been selfishly motivated. The diverse men and women we've elected have shown extraordinary concern not just for people who openly express their wishes, complaints, and even praise, but also for those who often do not attend the public meetings or write the letters to argue for greater attention to their own neighborhoods' or personal needs. I know how hard it is to gain the participation of people who work more than one job, who are busy caretakers for family members, who struggle just to keep bread on the table, and I believe that it is the primary responsibility of elected representatives not just to operate in their own self-interest or that of their neighborhood, but to consider the whole commons. I have certainly never voted for a candidate from Recreation precinct because he or she was likely to vote in accordance with my personal wishes. In fact, they often haven't, and some issues have certainly divided our precinct sharply (the proposed parkway, the traffic-calming measures, and the expansion of the hospital into prime residential streets, for example). In every case, however, I believe that these people have voted their consciences and have tried to work for the whole community. I'd hate to think that we want our town more divided, and that would probably be one consequence of ward elections. The system is not broken. Of course Council has made a few bloopers, but they are trifling compared to the good governance they have provided during the decades I have lived here. And as for the mayoral election, I just don't see the point. Would the mayor be a full-time employee, vying for the power hitherto delegated to a strong city manager? Perhaps no councilor could then do a good job as a part-time representative. We now elect councilors for their judgment, their energy, and for their ability to attract and keep good people working for this city. Our representatives certainly do not run for the salaries we pay, and we trust them to use our communal revenues well. Thank you for reading through my ruminations, and for your own time devoted to answering the questions you were given to examine. Yours truly,
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