Evening star., 1947-11-17
'Counci|manic Election
Again Becomes Issue
In Alexandra Politics

llC l0-yCdl -Olu COlltloFC1oy AL
Alexandria over the best form OF
city government is in the spotlight
again through the, circulation OF
petitions asking a referendum on
proposal to elect the city coun-
cilmen at large instead of by wards
Circulation of the petitions ad-
mittedly was prompted by appoint
ment of Nicholas A. Colosanto as
city manager. The appointment was
received unfavorably in many circles,
Almost Immediately, proponents of
an at-large elected council began
their attack on the present council
setup of six councilmen elected by
wards plus three elected at large.
Mr.. Colasanto was not in Alex
andria in 1922 when city manager
form of government was adopted by
popular vote over the opposition OF
powerful political machine that
existed at that time.
Machine Lost Fight.
The machine wanted to retain
the mayor and Board of Aldermen
But the people, by their vote, showed
they wanted a government run by
f1ve-man council, elected at large
with an appointed city manager to
handle all the administrative af-
fairs.
Things ran smoothly with the five
man council until the town of Po-
tomac, in Arlington County, was
annexed in 1929. About that time,
one of the five councilmen resigned,
creating vacancy that was filled
by council appointment.
Residents of the newly annexed
Potomac area, which later became
known as Del Ray, clamored for the
remaining four councilmen to ap-
point someone from their area. APP
parently recognizing an opportunity
to regain strength, the political ma
chine suggested several men from
the Potomac area to fill the vacancy.
Benjamin We'll Named.
The four councilmen, however,
were so anxious to defeat the die
tates of the machine that they
named Benjamin We'll, who lived in
downtown Alexandria.
AS a consequence the machine
sponsored a bill that was intro
duced into the Legislature in 1882,
permitting a referendum on whether
to retain the at-large plan or in
stitute ward system of electing
councilmen.
Carl Budwesky, who at that time
was city attorney, openly opposed
adoption of the ward plan. A heavy
vote by residents of the Potomac
area plus the machine vote, how
ever, were enough to carry the ward
plan.
Manager Lacked Power.
Equally as important in the new
charter were provisions for appoint
ment of the city engineer, the
building inspector and the weight
master by the Council. About all
that was left for the city manager
to appoint were the police and fire
chiefs. Since then many lesser de-
partments have been added to the
city government which are appoint
ed by the city manager. The health
officer also has been added. He Is
appointed by the Council.
Those in favor of a city manager
point to this division of authority
as a major factor in the dissension
among city officials. They say 1t
amounts to a partial return to the
aldermanic system.
Mr.. Budwesky continued to serve
as city attorney while it was a
Council-appointed post, although he
did not like the Council setup.
Eventually the ward-elected Coun-
Gil appointed him city manager IN
1888, after the death of E. G. Dunn.
The city attorney since has become
an elected job
When Mr.. Budwesky became city
manager differences flared anew,