Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1913-08-29
the new CITY CHARTER
MAIN FEATURES OF THE PROPOSED
CHARTER AS STATED BY
THE COMMISSION

Re,ow will be found the principal
features OF the proposed new charter,
as stated by the charter commission IN
presenting same to the city authorities.
The most radical change is evidently IN
that part which provides for Manager
and the authority given him. The pro-
posed new charter will be found in this
Issues commencing on page two. II
should be read by every voter In Little
Falls. The commissions statement fol-
lows:
The proposed amended charter estao-
fishing the commission form OF govern
ment for the city of Little Fans as II -
to be submitted to the voters at d sPe-
ture, has been prepared by the Charteff
Commission appointed by the Judges Oh
the district court. :.-
Nm preparing this charter the co"llnls nuns
sion secured charters of other COM
missioned governed cities. together with
renorts of the experiences had there
under, The best features OF these cnai
ters were selected as working natelaa, a,,sn
for our charter and are embodied IN some
form therein. The good features OF the
city's present charter have been retain
ed but by reason OF the many chanses
and difference in arrangement 1t became
necessary to re-draft the entire chartef:
About the most conspicuous feature OF
the proposed charter is it's brevity. II
is only about half the size Of the Ola
charter. We claim for it :. not ohiy
every statement, yet SO comprehensive IN
its instructions that it's meaning Is
easily understood.
Chief features OF the proposed a'he"'
cd charter:
The Governing Body-Thes five com. com
n3issioners, elected at large, for term
OF four years, constitute the governing ,l a
body and is called the city counclt nt;+inns ines
1NVr ind
paid a small salary and are subject to re.
call. This commission carry on all tne t
activities Of the city through dhe CITY
Manager and other appointlve o1tlcersi ~,
2 The Mayors office is abolished. Inc
president of the council practically taxes
the place of the Mayor, except that ne
has no appointive power. The presioeis'
of the council may be given the title VI
The CITY Manager-A competent, ex
perienced, trained and capable person
appointed on account of his pecuIal
fitness and ability to manage the e., a1dalr' da1c
nlissioners at the first meeting or apr
each year and is at all times under tn'
superVision of the council. The Board O
Public Works and all % the req TAPE tap con con
improvements are made direct oy tn'
commissioners through the. Manager
improvements may be made direct Dy I'M
Manager by day labor or 4nder 1na c,ias ms IN IN
ecutive officer of the city and appoints
the policemen, subject to approval o
council so far as number and salary !:
concerned.
4. Elections: Preferential voting. Par.!
politics are abolished. Ward lines arr
flimiDatedzprimary elections and the ex
pgnses eonhect4d Herewith" are zunnee
essary. Elections every four years In
stead of every year-a great saving. Com
rnissioners are subject to recall. They ar
is responsible to the commissioners. Th'
short ballot principle has been adopted.
s. The Municipal court: Establlshet
upon salary basis but will pay for 1t
6. The divisions Of the government arr
logical and systematic allowing tn
greatest latitude for the efficient dis
charge Of the different functions. Pro
vides for systematic financing of th'
city.