MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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October 29, 2009

THE PEOPLE SPEAK: Charter efforts lack enthusiasm, purpose

Despite our best efforts, very little, if anything, will be accomplished by debating the City Charter review facing the City Council.

Based on the new proposals brought by the council and public, and Mayor John Tyler Hammons and Shawn Raper, the time remaining in this council and mayor’s tenures of office will prove sufficient to accomplish the desired intent of the council.

The municipal election will be in April, and the proposed deadline on the proposed City Charter review is July. There well may be a new mayor and council seated by then. They may choose to disregard the review process. Also only certain groups will benefit from the revisions to the charter. Changes to any charter should be beneficial to all of the citizenry.

It has been mentioned that a review committee should be comprised of community citizens. The mayor and council members are citizens.

However, I am not pleased with the way the City Council is going. Our mayor was elected based on promised change. Yet I have seen disharmony on issues that have yet to be resolved amicably. Instead, there has been disrespect toward other members.

I feel that a new charter review should be tabled indefinitely or until after the election in April. There are far too many other issues of equal if not greater significance that face Muskogee.

Stephen D. Ezell

Muskogee

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