What do you think about the mayor’s opposition to 300?

Mayor Lionel Rivera was one of the first to publicly support the idea of adopting a strong-mayor form of government for the city, but yesterday he spelled out his strong opposition to Issue 300, the strong-mayor November ballot question, because he said it leaves out key provisions he suggested.

Strong-mayor proponents didn’t like that.

The committee organizing the effort to pass Issue 300 quickly responded.

“We are surprised and disappointed that, after carrying a petition himself and gathering signatures to get the initiative on the ballot, the mayor would reverse his support,” a spokeswoman said.

She also said the mayor’s reversal of support shows a lack of leadership and is why a “strong mayor” is needed.

Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

5 Responses to “What do you think about the mayor’s opposition to 300?”

1. Justin Burns Says:
   October 19th, 2010 at 10:02 am

   Yet another reason to put an accountable leader into office…. I don’t see one apology from the Mayor, just negative feedback on an initiative that he supported just weeks ago. The language has not changed, but something driving this “volunteer” figure-head certainly has helped him change his mind. Vote YES on #300 this November. We deserve an accountable leader in this town!

2. Lorne Kramer Says:
   October 19th, 2010 at 10:04 am

   I, and many others, agree with Mayor Rivera. The proponents of Issue 300 have distributed very misleading information-overstating the problem to justify the solution. Issue 300 will be more expensive, reduce accountability, introduce patronage and machine politics to Colorado Springs. I urge a NO VOTE.

   Lorne Kramer
   City Manager/Police Chief (ret)

3. Jane Says:
   October 19th, 2010 at 3:50 pm

   The Mayor has seen the light and has acknowledged his change of heart. He is willing to go against some of the big money in this town and I’m glad he is showing some spunk by doing so. I agree with Loran, t300 is NOT the solution to good leadership. The solution will NOT save money – that information is misleading when you realized that there WILL be others who will be hired to carry out much of the day to day work. The solution will NOT guarantee leadership. It guarantees politics will enter into the day to day management. Why not adopt a form of governance like many of the successful local school boards that force the Council into being leaders not managers and provide a mechanism to hold the City Manager accountable to the Council and the Council to the electorate? The statements inferring that the former City Manager was not responsive or didn’t do her job are incredulous. She told the council the truth and no one liked to hear it because it placed them in a bad light for not having done their job better. They never gave her objective standards to achieve or clear outcomes to meet. They never would speak with one voice. She had no leadership from the council because they kept trying to out-manage her. Political people should be leaders not managers. If we can’t elect good leadership to City Council how are we going to elect good leadership to the Mayor position? If Money were the magic answer we would have one heck of a County Commission. They each make nearly 90K. If the City Council members don’t communicate and listen to the electorate – what makes people think a paid Mayor/manager will? 300 is NOT good for the City. Vote NO.

4. Ken G Says:
   October 19th, 2010 at 6:35 pm

   A change is needed. Our current mayor is nothing more than a 2-faced liar. Lorne is trying to protect his fiefdom….time for a change Colorado Springs. Cost – what about the $33M Rivera and Kramer already cost the city – we won’t get the ROI as promised. Advantage – USOC – COS taxpayers – hosed.

   other cities have converted to a strong mayor leadership and yes everything costs more initially while the changes are made. In the long run, higher cost or not, we need a full time, salaried and FOCUSED mayor.

   I think we should send Kramer and Rivera on a cruise together as a parting gift….one way ticket to Antartica…..

5. Michael Says:
   October 20th, 2010 at 8:13 am

   I think Hazlehurst hit the nail on the head when he suggested that this City may elect someone like Doug Bruce to be mayor. Imagine what this place would be like with Bruce in charge?!! Vote NO!