The Dorchester Citizens for Better Government group has two proposals that they think will significantly improve both transparency and good governance at the county level. And on the surface, they look like rather simple ones.
The first one, a change to Charter Section 606, it would require Dorchester County Council meetings to be on live CATV or live streamed on the internet. It would also require the Council to provide documents to the public that support the agenda items prior to Council meetings.
The second one is a charter amendment (405-406) is to prevent Council members from hiring and firing county employees other the its chief executive (County Manager). It simply strengthens the role of the County Manager in hiring and termination decisions of department heads and by instituting a formal process and safeguards for the hiring and dismissal of the County Manager.
On the face of it, both of these sound reasonable enough, but in order for these to be on the ballot in November, this croup will need to have close to 5,000 Dorchester residents sign petitions over the next several months to make that happen.
WHCP’s Kevin Diaz and the Spy’s Dave Wheelan sat down with Allen Nelson, president of Dorchester Citizens for Better Government yesterday at the studio on Race Street to talk in more detail about both of these important initiatives.
This video is approximately seven minutes in length. For more information about Dorchester Citizens for Better Government please contact at Allen Nelson at [email protected].
This week the following places and times will be available for you to stop by and sign the Petitions:
1. Monday to Friday – Dorchester Chamber of Commerce – every day except between noon to 1:00 p.m. – 306 High Street Cambridge
2. Monday – Wednesday and Friday – 311 High Street Cambridge – Noon to 1:00 p.m. I will be available to sign you up
3. Thursday from Noon to 1:00 p.m. or so, Allen Nelson and I will be presenting on the Charter Petitions at the Rotary Club lunch.
4. Friday Morning from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. at Blackwater Bakery, Allen Nelson and I will be available while speaking with the Businessmen’s group and also I will be available noon to 1:00 p.m. at 311 High Street
5. Saturday from Noon to 5:00 p.m. at Downtown’s Sip N Savor at two locations – Poplar Street and at the Blue Awning on Race Street near the Tubman Mural.
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