I have observed many council meetings. I have listened to the reasons councilors give for the votes they make. I have heard how various staff members answer the councilor’s questions – sometimes completely, sometimes incompletely.

I have heard councilors complain that they don’t have the documents needed in their binders to make an informed vote. I have often heard councilors complain that they got that important information just hours before they were to vote.

Sometimes I saw it delivered during the meeting. Is this a way for the administration to treat the councilors? Is this a well-run and respectful administration?

After reading about the council-manager form of government, attending coffees and taking in the information provided at the March 31 meeting at the high school, it just seems logical that the council-manager form of government is designed to work better for a city our size. That’s why it is so popular throughout our country.

In a council-manager form of government, if the information the council needs is not provided completely and in a timely fashion, it would be the manager’s responsibility. And if this happened enough he/she could be let go. A mayor, in our form of government, cannot be easily impeached, and is voted into office every four years.

Policy in a council-manager form of government is created by a majority vote by all seven of the councilors and in plain view. Policy in a strong-mayor form of government is not always in plain view.

There are no guarantees with any form of government. It just seems there is a better chance of success if the administration is professionally and apolitically managed.

With appropriate management, I can see city services improved. With efficient management I have read that the cost of government can go down.

I am voting for a change to a council-manager form of government.

Jeff Braff

Bainbridge Island