The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1915-01-22
COMMISSION FORM
CITY GOVERNMENT
Explained by H. Clay Tuck
er, Formerly of Putnam
County.
Asbury Park, Jan. 10, 1915.

To the Editor of The News:-
Having adopted the Commission
form of Government, by provision of
the Walsh act, yesterday Asbury
Park held it's first election and must
continue under that form of govern
ment for at least six yecrs. Dur
ing that period the affairs of the city
will be conducted by board of five
men elected for that purpose. Should
the new government prove unsatis-
factory after six years, rs per cent
of the voters may petition for spe-
cial election to decide whether the
city shall continue under commission
rule or return to it's present char
tered form. A majority decides. The
next election in four years, and ev-
cry four years thereafter.
AS this form of municipal govern
ment is. comparatively new, and
seems to have proved successful in
other parts of the country, and may
some day come browsing down your
way, l thought your readers might
be interested in learning what it all
means from one located on the spot.
Any citizen can become a candidate
by getting Is voters to sign his pc
tition. No conventions, no primaries,
no party politics; just get the petit
ton ready and announce your candi-
dacy. The only expense | can see
consists in using printers ink, telling
the voters what bright business
man you are, how immaculate in
your moral attributes, and what the
city will certainly lose in case your
services are not desired.
Of the five commissioners, four
will receive a yearly salary Of $4,000
and the mayor gets $4,000, the five
appointing the mayor from their own
number. All the salaries of appoint
ees are to be fixed by the commits
sioners and will be made by the whole
board and not by Individual men,
bers. Meetings must be held at
least once a week. The mayor may
call netting at any time, so may
any two commissioners. Three
members constitute a quorum. All
meetings will be public.
No money can be appropriated, no
public improvement inaugurated, no
contract executed or franchise grant
ed unless the resolution or ordinance
in completed form shall have been
on public file with the city clerk for
at least two weeks. Every new or
dinance must be published at least
once in a local paper before it is
finally passed. Four votes are re-
qIired to pass all ordinances.
The commissioners may create any
subordinate board or office and abate
!, the same any time. No city employe
can be dismissed except that charges
shall have been preferred and sus-
tanned at public hearing. No COM
missioner can be recalled from office
until he has served at least one year
nor can more than one recall be is
sued against any commissioner dur
ing any one year. Fifteen per cent
of the voters may demand recall
and the board must order election
within forty days, unless the commits
sioner attacked resigns within five
days. If his unexpired term is fol-
more than a year, his successor shall
be chosen by public election; if for a
year or less the vacancy shall be fill.
ed by appointment. In all recall
elECClOn, J1e commissioners dICdChe.
must be a candidate to succeed HIM
self unless he refuses in writing tc
the clerk, to allow his name to go or
the ballot. The person receiving
the highest number of votes is elect.
ed. No commissioner recalled OIL
,, resigning may be appointed to pub.
i lie office within one year.
Any proposed municipal reform
may be submitted to the commission
1, ers in ordinance form when signed by
: at least Is per cent of the voters
The commissioners must either pas
, the ordinance within 20 days or sub
nit it to the people at special cleo
, ton. If the proposed ordinance il
, signed by only 10 per cent of the vo
tiers, then it shall be passed within
20 days, or submitted at the mex
! general city election. A majorit!
= vote decides.
: No ordinance adopted by the com
, missioners, except for the immediat,
preservation of public health or safe
i ty, shall go into effect until 10 day
l after its final passage. If dIrins