A new city charter for a 21st century Caribou

To the editor:
    Citizens for Responsible City Management (CFRCM) would like to thank Patricia Collins for her letter in last week’s “Viewpoints” advising of the Charter Amendment Committee that was appointed by the city council in the spring of 1977. We were aware of amendments that had been made to the charter at that time, but were unaware that the process was a whole charter review.
    The committee, to which Mrs. Collins refers, was council-appointed. If the voters agree to a charter commission in June, their peers will elect the people serving on that commission. They will run for this position just the same as one who runs for a seat on the city council. Charter amendments do not change the charter; they can only give more power to the city government. Any attempt to modify the city charter that would result in changes that return power back to the people, requires a charter commission, which would have the power to revise the Charter. The charter committee of 1977 did not have that power, nor did they seek it. That charter committee was limited to only producing amendments that enhanced the power of city government. The majority of distinguished persons serving on the 1977 Committee was, or had been, officers of the city of Caribou. They also had a predisposition to take control, thus were inclined to give more power to the city officers.
    What CFRCM is trying to do is to give more voice and power back to the shareholders of this corporation. The city of Caribou is a corporation and we, the taxpayers, are its shareholders. The commission will recommend charter changes, but the ultimate decision concerning these changes will be in the hands of you, the Caribou voter. You get to decide what you want to change and what you want to leave alone.
    We are asking the voting taxpayers to allow a new charter commission to be established so that they can produce a revised charter that would better serve the citizens of Caribou.
    CFRCM believes that after 33 years, given the changes to the face of Caribou, it’s time to take another hard look at the way the city is governed. Reference was made in Mrs. Collins’ letter to the procedure involved in filling vacancies left on the city council. CFRCM feels that a change may be needed there, along with other aspects of government, and we will be outlining these in the weeks to come. Times change, city managers change, city councils change, economic climates change, population, infrastructures, lifestyles and points of view all change. CFRCM’s intent is not to alter the integrity of the charter, only to bring it up to date with the 21st century.
    Please check out our Web site at www.CaribouWatch.com often. The next CFRCM meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 24th at 6:30 p.m. at the Caribou Chamber of Commerce building in the downtown mall. All are welcome to attend.