The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1911-05-04
sHoN. JOHN CROSBY, CHAIRMAN
COUNCIL OF VIRGINIA CITY
TOLD OF THEIR PLAN.
mot Only the Committee, But Large
Number of Citizens Were Present
and All Seemed Greatly Interested
in Staunton Mode of Government

Before a majority of the members
of city council and a number of busi-
ness men, together with the members
of the committee recently appointed
Ty Mayor Butts to investigate the
commission form of government, Hon.
John Crosby, Chairman of the common
council of Staunton, Va, yesterday
explained in full detail the form OF
government now in use in his city
and which has proved a great sue
cess. The present form, whidl has
been used by Staunton for the past
three years, differs from the regular
commission form, which has been
adopted by large number of cities
in various sections of the United
States.
The Staunton form is generally
known as the general manager form
of government, practically the entire
affairs of the city being in the hands
of a general manager.
Mr.. Crosby had at his finger tips
every phase Of the city of Staunton
and he discussed the various ques-
tions in a very plain fashion. He
says his city is operated on the same
basis as any private corporation, the
same as any railroad system or other
corporation. Every business of any
magnitude, he says, has it's general
manager, so has his city .and the
duties of that official are the same
as that of a general manager of a
railroad.
Staunton is not operating under the
commission form of government The
city has its mayor, its council and
one or two committees, hut every
department of the city, with the ex.
ception of the fire and police depart
ments. is under the control of the
general manager He makes all con.
tracts, does all the purchasing for the
city, looks into every detail in the
operation of tf'e municipality. and
once each month is checked up by the
council. The police and fire depart.
ments are under the control of the
mayor
Owing to the fact that a state law
in Virginia requires each municipality
to have mayor and council Staunton
could not adopt the commission plan,
therefore the mayor and council is
elected as is the case in other cities
and the only difference is that the
general manager takes the place of
the various council committees. or a
large majority of them, and conse-
quently relieves the members of the
council of most of the duties which
require much time and attention.
The council, of course, which is an
unpaid body, passes all laws and or
dinances for the city and is the legis-
lative body.
Mr.. Crosby shows in plain figures
the amount that has been saved dur
ing the three years fiat the city has
been under the direction of a general
manager, while the amount of general
Improvements have been greatly in
creased. He believes it the best plan
for any city and read many letters
If commendation from prominent men
who have investigated the form of
government in use in that city.
Those Brunswickians who were
present at the meeting evinced much
interest in Mr.. Crosby's talk and
that they favor a change in Bruins
wick of some kind there is no doubt.
Many of them are favorable to the
regular commission n1an while 9th.
ers are favorably impressed with the
Staunton plan. The committee which
has the matter in charge will continue
their investigation and it will likely
be some time before a report will, be
rendered to council.
During the meeting yesterday a
motion was made and adopted thank
ing Mr.. Crosby for his visit to the
city and his interesting talk. He left
last night to spend a few days in
Atlanta before returning to his home.