Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-09-12
CHARTER GIVES
OFFICIALS POWERS
Have Initiative, Referendum and
Recall in City Under Pro-
posed New Charter.

An attempt will be made this week
to discuss the initiative, referendum
and recall, which are taken up in
chapter II Of the proposed charter
and chapter thirteen TO such extent
as it deals with the mayor and clerk.
To propose a new ordinance by
means of the initiative ten per cent
of the qualified electors Of the city at
the last election, must have signed a
petition for the ordinance, which may
ask the council to pass the ordinance
or submit it TO vote Of the electors.
1t must be filed with the city clerk.
If upon examination the city clerk
finds that there are sufficient sign
ers to the petition the city commits
sion shall within sixty days after j.
has been filed, pass the ordinance
without alteration, subject to the re-
ferendum, or call a special election,
except when another city or general
election comes within ninety days, to
submit the proposed ordinance to a
vote of the electors. Only one such
election may be held in any one year.
1t is also provided that the city
commission may submit "a proposition
TO the electors for the repeal or
amendment of any ordinance so
adopted. 1t is provided that an ordi-
nance adopted by the electors cannot
be repealed or amended except by the
vote Of the electors.
1t is provided that if at any time
after the passage of an ordinance by
the city commission, and prior to its
taking effect, petition signed by at
least fifteen per cent Of the voters
at the last city election is filed with
the clerk, protesting against the en-
actment Of such ordinance, it shall
not become operative until acted upon
by the commission or submitted to 4
vote of the qualified electors of the
city.
The city commission is given the
power to submit any ordinance, con-
tract or measure TO the voters for
approval or rejection at any general
city election. 1t also provides that
in case provisions of two or more pro-
posed ordinances conflict, that the
measure receiving the highest affirm
ative vote shall be the one adopted.
The removal of the elective officers
of the city, is provided for by the
proposed charter, from Act 325 of the
Public Acts of 1913, which provides
for the removal Of officials and the
filling Of the vacancies.
Under chapter thirteen the duties
of the officials are set forth, that of
the mayor being the first taken up.
1t provides that he shall be the
chief executive officer of the city. and
that he shall preside at the meetings
Of the city commission, and from time
to time give the commission inform
alton concerning city affairs, recon-
mend such measures as he may deem
wise, and see that ordinances, etc. are
enforced. He is required to sign all
warrants for the paying of all money,
authorized to be paid by the city com
mission. He shall with the city clerk.
execute in behalf Of the city all
written instruments of every charac-
ter. 1t is his duty to inspect the
books, etc, of the city officials, and
perform such duties as are required
Of him by the commission. The COM
mission is required TO select one OF
their number TO act as vice-mayor.
when he is Temporarily unable to per-
form the duties of his Office
The city clerk is required to keep
the corporate seal. and have charge
of all papers filed in or pertaining tc
the city, when not entrusted to some
other officer by the charter. He shall
issue all licenses, when authorized.
etc,
He will be the general accountant
of the city and all claims against the
city shall be filed with him for ad-
justment. He is required to report
these to the commission, which shall
order payment from the proper sour
ces. IL provides that he shall exer-
else the powers Of the township clerks
so far as same are to be performed
within the city He is required TO
take charge of ballot boxes, ballots
and other property pertaining to
elections.
II is provided that the city clerk
shall have charge Of all books, vouch-
ers. documents, etc, relting TO ac-
counts, contracts, debts and revenues
of the city, shall sign all bonds issued.
keep list Of all property and effects
Continued on page four)