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Deena Winter: Camp says junk strong mayor and hire city manager

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Wednesday, Feb 28, 2007 - 12:07:55 am CST

City Councilman Jon Camp thinks it’s time for Lincoln to consider hiring a professional city manager to lead Lincoln.

That would mean moving from the strong mayor form of government to a council-manager government. Lincoln would still have a mayor, but the mayor’s power would diminish considerably. The mayor would chair the City Council and have one vote and no veto power.

Replacing a partisan mayor with a nonpartisan city manager would allow the mayor to act like a CEO, the city manager to act like a company president and the council to act like a board of directors.

Story Photo

To make room at the council table, Camp’s plan would eliminate one at-large council seat. The council would appoint a city manager to execute its policies, manage city personnel, prepare budgets and oversee the day-to-day operations of the city.

Camp said having a city manager would make city government less political and more responsive and accountable “without the political bosses twisting arms at city hall.”

But the three men running for mayor say a city manager would be exactly the opposite. Because the city manager wouldn’t be elected, they’d be less responsive to voters.

One has to wonder: Why would Camp want to essentially relegate the next mayor to the role of cheerleader and ribbon-cutter?

After all, he flirted with the idea of running for mayor himself — although he says he’d still be promoting this idea if he had run.

The city will elect a new mayor in May and Camp’s Republican colleague on the council, Ken Svoboda, is running. Which begs the question: Doesn’t he have confidence Svoboda would be a good, strong mayor if elected?

Camp said it’s not about what he thinks of those running for mayor; it’s about what’s best for the city.

Svoboda said he was disappointed in Camp’s proposal and said Camp should probably focus on getting re-elected to the council instead of taking the campaign focus off “what we should be talking about: creating new jobs.”

Camp said he respects Svoboda’s opinion but, “In all due respect (to) Ken, the issue is not whether he or Chris Beutler or Roger Yant would be a good mayor.”

Svoboda said cities with weak leaders are often tempted to move to a city manager system, but he says that won’t be an issue if a strong mayor is elected.

And having a city manager won’t take politics out of city government, he said, because the City Council can fire the manager depending on which way the political winds are blowing.

From a purely budgetary perspective, Svoboda noted city managers generally are paid a lot more than mayors.

Not surprisingly, the other two candidates for mayor also oppose Camp’s idea. Democrat Chris Beutler said if Lincoln had a strong mayor, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

“I think we’ve grown a great city with the system that we have and what we need is to get a strong leader back in office,” he said.

A manager would be less accountable to citizens, Beutler argued.

Independent candidate Roger Yant said voters should elect the city leader, not the council.

To move to a city manager government, voters would have to amend the city charter. Camp said he intends to ask the council to put the issue before voters in May 2008.

LIBA endorsements

The Lincoln Independent Business Association political action committee announced its endorsements for the upcoming primary election in April.

LIBA — a 1,000-member business group that says it promotes free enterprise, reduced government spending and lower taxes — interviewed candidates for mayor and City Council, and endorsed:

* Republican Ken Svoboda for mayor.

* Republican John Erickson for Lincoln’s southwest district, District 3, now represented by Councilman Jonathan Cook.

* Democrat incumbent Annette McRoy and Republican John Spatz for the northwest district, District 4.

* Democrat Doug Emery and Republican LaRae Eifert for the northeast district, District 1.

* Republican incumbent Jon Camp for the southeast district, District 2. (Although LIBA wasn’t aware of Republican candidate Jane Kinsey’s plans to run at the time of interviews, and she could be added to the endorsees later.)

They endorsed more than one candidate in some districts because the top two vote-getters in each race advance from the April 3 primary to the May 1 general election.

The fact LIBA endorsed only one candidate in Districts 2 and 3 shows they don’t think Allan Abbott (an independent candidate in District 2) and Cook, the Democratic incumbent, will support LIBA’s goals.

LIBA generally endorses Republicans; LIBA’s PAC chairman Russ Bayer said those endorsed “are advocates of business, a strong economy and efficient government.”

After the primary, LIBA may further narrow its list of endorsees.

Speaking of endorsements...

When Cook formally announced his decision to run for another four years on the council, rather than for mayor, I asked whether he endorsed fellow Democrat Beutler’s candidacy.

Cook declined to answer the question during his press conference, saying that’s “not my job.”

After the press conference, when asked why he wouldn’t endorse his fellow Democrat, Cook acquiesced, saying, “He will make a fine mayor.” We’ll mark that as a begrudging endorsement.

A step back in time

Here’s what was happening in Lincoln 50 years ago: Pershing Municipal Auditorium was formally dedicated.

And Lincoln firefighters were assigned to ride with police officers in patrol cars on a “buddy system,” but after one firefighter refused to carry a gun and was dismissed, the system eventually was abandoned.

Quote of the week

“Jon wants one for his yard.” — Councilman Cook, after Councilman Camp asked LES officials what one transmission tower costs after being shown photos of damaged transmission towers and lines.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


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Jason wrote on February 28, 2007 12:31 am:
" Jon Camp has come up with one of the dumbest ideas in political history. The fact that he can state this plan with a straight face is unbelieveable. Who elected this guy to the council. It is time for him to go back into the private sector. "
funk wrote on February 28, 2007 6:15 am:
" A politician trying to trying to reduce politics within the city? Come on, give me a break. Councilman Camp’s entire career on the council has been nothing more than using politics to land him in front of the camera or in the paper. What one positive thing has he done to move this city forward? “Nothing” if you were to ask me. Mr. Camp tested the political waters and knew he didn’t have a chance to win the Mayors seat, so instead he intends to circumvent the process and see that the position he holds has more power. I thought being on the council was considered a public service? On the surface this seems to be nothing more than a power grab. "
Weary wrote on February 28, 2007 6:30 am:
" That's the first real positive idea to come from anyone in this group. Having lived in other cities with a manager/council form of government, it WORKS. Granted, the key is a professional city manager and a council that doesn't micromanage and LIBA is unnecessary. "
Windy Champ wrote on February 28, 2007 7:30 am:
" Talk about which way the political winds are blowing. Mr. S you are a champ at that. Observing your normal routine,which is to copy cat what others say, you are just wishing you had come out with idea this first. As for talking about jobs, you sound as if that is the ONLY thing we should be talking about. What is wrong with tossing in a little new creative thinking. Something we have not heard coming from you on the council. Lincoln needs to get its head out of the sand. What was the term....Timid Lincoln. "
Figures wrote on February 28, 2007 7:59 am:
" I would be willing to bet that most city council members would love the idea of a mayor that doesn't do anything. More power for the council, and a mayor position that turns into a waste of money. Someone get Camp out of there. "
citizen wrote on February 28, 2007 8:11 am:
" It's no wonder that Mr. Jon Camp would like to have a city manager, if that were the case, then the city council would have more of a say in matters. I think that Chris Beutler is right...if we have a strong mayor, then there would be no discussion about a city manager. "
Weak Mayor wrote on February 28, 2007 8:51 am:
" This is a poor idea if I have ever heard one. Wake up folks to what is going on here. A manager is unaccountable to anyone, especially voters. Mr.Camp is an anti-labor wage slasher who believes that a manager could further his own agenda. There are better and other ways to balance your budget than engaging this kind of garbage. "
tim wrote on February 28, 2007 8:58 am:
" the city manager would become a political position like the fire chief. i see this as an attempt to give the city council more power. frankly i like the idea of veto power. then if there's enough support to override the veto so be it. looks like mr camp is trying to find ways to separate himself, not sure this will separate him the right way. "
mike4mayor wrote on February 28, 2007 9:08 am:
" This is the stupidest idea I have heard for anyone on the city council. And that is saying something with all the stupid ideas they have come up with. If I am correct the mayor and the city council balance each other out. If we have someone that serves at the will of the city council then the only power will be with the city council. What we need is someone who in not a republican or a democrat (and not a libertarian) that has the best interests of the people of the city of Lincoln as their agenda. Let the city council play party games and have a strong mayor drag this city into a position where companies want to do business in. Could the reason he wants to move this way is because he has been told that he could never be mayor? So if he can not be mayor then get rid of the position and be on the same rung as someone who would be mayor and gain the ability to make the city manager bow to the council’s wishes. "
Shad Bailey wrote on February 28, 2007 9:37 am:
" Lets vote Jon Camp out and forget this and all his other bad ideas. "
Christin wrote on February 28, 2007 9:49 am:
" Finally, someone who knows that running a city isn't about politics. It's about efficiency and finding the best solution for ALL of Lincoln's residents. Lincoln's getting too big, too influential, and too diverse to expect to elect a mayor with as much power as they do. Great idea and good luck. Be open to change people! "
JJ wrote on February 28, 2007 10:02 am:
" Why would we need a mayor and city council if a manager is hired? Its and very bad idea for hiring a manager and take away the powers from the mayor and voters who put the coucil and the mayor in office in the first place. A very poor idea Mr.Camp and I agree with many of the writers comments that do not agree with this idea. "
M wrote on February 28, 2007 10:10 am:
" Unfortunately that has been the case far too many times in the past with our City Council...and Mayor. But of course, they always deny any conflict of interest when it comes to voting on proposals affecting their own property. How do people like this stay in office? Ignorant voters, and people who just don't care. "
humm wrote on February 28, 2007 10:26 am:
" I think the Nay Sayers should check this out. It does work better than the system we have now. It makes a clear separation of duties between council and manager. The council does not involve it self in the day to day operations of the City. This should be looked at. One needs to understand the process as a whole and not as who is recommending it. "
Alert Citizen wrote on February 28, 2007 10:37 am:
" Jon Camp has plenty of ideas but does he follow through? I remember he just had to have an internal auditor that would report to the Mayor. Funding was approved in the September 2005 budget but I haven't heard that they have hired one yet as of February 2007. "
frankly wrote on February 28, 2007 10:39 am:
" sounds like camp thinks buetler is going to win so he thinks up a new slogan to get his name in the news. i wish all current council get voted out and buetler does win. he is the only one with considerable experience with big budget items, he is also looking for ways to change the way the city budget is manipulated by the council, where camp has done nothing but complain instead of finding solutions. once again no solution from camp, just hot air. "
Keep Mayor - Dump LIBA wrote on February 28, 2007 12:11 pm:
" Keep the Mayoral form of gov't and dump LIBA. LIBA is so unnecessary and a thorn in everyone's side (by design). They do NOT represent my views as a taxpayer or as a business person in Lincoln. Go away LIBA! "
HuskerGirl wrote on February 28, 2007 12:20 pm:
" "IF we had a strong mayor, a city manager wouldn't be necessary." How many times have I read that in this blog? We DON'T have a strong mayor, and there is no guarentee that we would get one in this election, or any following election. A City Manager, who is hired, not elected, will not be subject to only doing projects for special interests that donate to his/her campaign. If you knew what shambles some of these city departments are in (I work in one), you would want a City Manager. We do. "
Vern wrote on February 28, 2007 12:46 pm:
" Camp and Cook both need to GO from City Council. I'm tired of all the fighting and whining. "
RR wrote on February 28, 2007 1:57 pm:
" Any of those running for mayor will be only the same crap that they have voted all along to do. This city needs a financial professional with NO click and friend ties to turn this city around. Otherwise expect the same and only worse destruction of this town. "
John wrote on February 28, 2007 3:25 pm:
" I'm not surprised at LIBA's endorsements. They would endorse Hitler if he was a Republican. Those who did not receive their endorsement should be happy. "
better idea wrote on February 28, 2007 3:50 pm:
" not only should we elimate the mayor, but we should eliminate the city council, state legislature, and just keep on moving up through the federal ranks. we don't need any of them! "
Rolly wrote on February 28, 2007 4:03 pm:
" Some credit to Camp, but there remains a need for a strong executive branch and power of the mayor. The time may be here for professional administration but the reporting structure might need to be refined from what Camp suggests. The Council is basically an oversight-legislative group, and the model of democracy we enjoy elects a mayor...still the strategic purpose and role of mayor might be heightened if some business duties were delegated to a city administrator. The administrator too might facilitate a better planning department and act as a catalyst to assure the agencies are more effective and efficient. "
It's not the system... wrote on February 28, 2007 4:24 pm:
" ...that is broken. It is the people who have occupied the position the past eight years. A good leader (either Svoboda or Beutler or Yant) could make the strong-mayor form of government work very well. The city manager form is better for cities smaller than Lincoln, but would not be a good idea here. Props to Camp for at least bringing up the idea, however. It's worth having a discussion, which is more than many of the ideas emanating from the County-City Building these days. "
airedale wrote on February 28, 2007 5:40 pm:
" My guess is that Camp has aspirations of becoming the city manager. "
No matter wrote on February 28, 2007 6:41 pm:
" It matters not what you call the local governmental structure. CEO, Manager etc do not fit because no one is voted into this POLITICAL office based on ability. these positions are based on getting voted in because of how well the candidate can suck up to a bunch of believers. We call them voters and its a popularity contest. It is not a for profit organization nor should it be structured as such. The people always get what they vote for and the other side will always complain. Its the system we call a democracy. "
Cheif duty wrote on February 28, 2007 8:22 pm:
" Isn't Mayor Seng's number one duty ribbon cutting? If this city can pay someone 65 grand a year to put up stop signs, how much do they pay the guy who sharpens her ribbon-cutting scissors? Maybe a city manager would bring employee pay into line with taxpayer salaries. How many 7 dollar an hour janitors does it take to support one 12 dollar an hour city janitor? "
David wrote on February 28, 2007 10:21 pm:
" While I don't necessarily support this idea, I have found that Mr Camp is consistently the most logical and intelligent member of the council. I think this recommendation might stem from frustration with the lack of business savvy in our city leadership. We could certainly be doing a lot more to foster business and job growth in Lincoln. Personally I think we should be focusing on business growth around I-80. Money that comes from I-80 drivers has the potential to provide a great boost to our economy. "
When did we elect LIBA? wrote on February 28, 2007 11:08 pm:
" I find it curious some City elected officials pay so much attention to likes of LIBA - Could it be that they like to feather each other's agenda? I like the check and balance of the strong Mayor Council form of government. The City Council by Charter is supposed to be legislative, they should not be micromanagers - LIBA's opinions do not count more than any other citizen. Remember, most of us don't have a radio station at our beckon call to sway public opinion. That doesn't make our opinion less important. "
Roger wrote on March 1, 2007 3:52 am:
" Great Idea, since we have not had a strong mayor for several years now and since the city seems to be spending out of control. This form of city management is better than we have now. Our current form, and current set up only increases the use of tax dollars and does nothing to promote our city. Of course the people running for mayor are not going to like that because they will not be the ones in power and of course people in that work for the city will object because this would create a CEO type of Management, where if things aren't going well, this person would be replaced and another would take his/her place, the political enviornment we now have would disappear and things would get done. "
What do people think? wrote on March 1, 2007 8:13 am:
" One has to wonder: Why would Camp want to essentially relegate the next mayor to the role of cheerleader and ribbon-cutter? Because he has someone for the position! Come on people, We need to get Jon Camp out of office, this guy is bad news for the city of lincoln. He is in office strictly and I mean strictly for personal gain and this is totally uncalled for. Its time the city of lincoln puts people back in office that actually work the the people of lincoln and people we can trust. "
Camp wrong wrote on March 1, 2007 9:16 am:
" We need a strong mayor. Without a leader as mayor, the city council will remain wishy-washy and it will stay business as usual around here. NOTHING GETS DONE! A strong Mayor with a vision can get this city moving and growing. "
Tired wrote on March 1, 2007 1:30 pm:
" Go away, Camp - we are tired of you! Get out of the public eye. Always trying to figure out a way to get press time. Leave us alone! "
Dlm wrote on March 1, 2007 1:52 pm:
" It's time to get rid of Jon Camp.. His power hungry ways need to be reel in. The city council comes up with to many bad ideas anyway so, we need the power of the Veto and a Mayor elected by the people to combat these ideas. Jon Camp is sore because no one wants him in charge of anything, he should resign and let someone serve that wants to help the average Joe. "
Bob wrote on March 1, 2007 3:20 pm:
" If a manager is hired why would we need a mayor. We know what the city council is, so we elect more of the same. The last thing we need is one of the council as mayor!!! If a manager is hired guess who engineers that!! Its pretty depressing, cause I'll grant you the leadership and prospects are more of the same - don't put your check book away. "

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