Charter proposals offer plenty to think about

Hamtramck voters are faced with a possible seismic shift in how the city provides police and fire services.
There are two ballot proposals this Nov. 3 that ask voters to eliminate both the police and fire departments from the city charter.
If voters OK that, it would then be up to the city council to determine how to provide those services.
Last week, we presented an argument by a former city official who is advocating for the passage of these proposals.
In this issue, we present you with a counter-argument explaining why the proposals should be shot down.
We are not advocating one way or the other, but we do urge voters to seriously consider these proposals.
If the proposals are passed, the effect could be far-reaching.
For those who support the proposals, they say it’s about finding ways to save the city money. Hamtramck is currently in deficit spending, and unless something drastic happens, the city is heading toward another financial crisis.
And that could mean that, for the third time in 20 years, the state would be forced to step in and appoint an emergency manager. It’s probably a fair assumption that, this time around, the EM will make some serious structural changes – something that the two previous emergency managers did not address.
For those who are against the proposals, they say it’s too big of a step to make without a concrete alternative plan to consider. They also say the savings are minimal at best.
There is a lot at stake with these proposals — consider them wisely.
Posted Oct. 9, 2020