The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-04-27
Charter Commission Winding
Up Work on City Manager
Plan Of Charter
PAMPHLETS TO BE SENT
EVERY HOME IN CITY
Thorough Study Of Proposed
Measure Urged; Goes Be-
fore Voters on June 10

When voters of this city go to the
polls for the primary election Mon
day, June 10, they will face another
very important question which is Of
vital interest to every resident of Be-
midi, namely. the adoption or rejec-
ton of the new proposed city charter
Since last December, the city charter
commission has been meeting in regu-
lar weekly sessions and has been put
ting much valuable time and effort
into this proposed charter which will
come up for consideration of the peo-
pie at this time.
Realizing the need of a new and
modern charter for the regulation Of
the city's affairs, this commission has
spared no effort in preparing a chart
err which is expected to meet with the
approval Of the majority Of the voters
of this city. Thorough study Of the
proposed document is urged so that
when voters go to the polls June IS
they will have a complete knowledge
of what they are about to cast their
ballots on and will vote for the best
interests Of the people. The need Of a
new charter has long been apparent
and in presenting this proposed chart
err the commission feels that these
needs will be met very favorably.
In order that the voters may have
an opportunity to study this charter
section by section, pamphlets are soon
to be issued and sent into every home
in the city. 1t is believed that if q
thorough study is given this proposed
document, the majority will be in fav--
or of it. Heretofore, several proposed
charters have been voted upon and
slsfs;ft Ill, s,nai',l RIO s;aason tsat
the proposed charter was noe thor
oughly understood by the voters. The
present commission will endeavor to
overcome this situation as much as
possible.
The drafting of this proposed
charter has been practically complet-
ed. A few minor changes in phraseol-
ogy may be made at the next regular
meeting, Wednesday evening, May 3,
but the charter will stand practically
the same as it now reads.
The proposed charter rovides for
the city manager plan of government.
1t provides for a commission of five
persons, which would take the place
of the present city council. The memb-
ers of the commission would select
their chairman who would act as
mayor or chief magistrate Of the city.
The manager would also be selected
by the commission and he would have
charge Of all city employees with the
exception Of the city library board
and the city attorney.
A change would be made in the
management of the police force which
would be under the supervision of the
city manager instead of the mayor.
The charter provides that the commits
sion need not select a manager from
within the city of Bemidji and it
would be the recommendation of the
commission that an outside manager
be employed. He would work at fix
ed salary and could be discharged at
any time provided his work was not
satisfactory.
Provided that the new proposed
charter is adopted at the June cleo
'tion, petitions for commissioners will
be circulated SO that the city election
may take place in November and the
officers take office the first part of
the new year.