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<br />A+/-1Jtc},mtn-l- "A" <br /> <br />September 20, 2007 <br /> <br />To: <br /> <br />City of Ramsey Charter Commission Chair <br /> <br />From: <br /> <br />Terri Cleveland, Charter Commissioner <br /> <br />Re.: <br /> <br />Consideration of amending Section 4.5 of the Charter. <br /> <br />Dear Madam Chair and Fellow Commissioners: <br /> <br />My apology for not being present at the meeting this evening. I feel it is important that my thoughts <br />on the proposed amendment to Section 4.5 of the Charter be part of the discussion. <br /> <br />I do not support the suggested amendment to Section 4.5 to eliminate the need for a special election. I <br />. prefer that the charter remain unchanged for the following reasons: <br /> <br />1. If a council seat becomes vacant it is possible that the replacement member appointed could <br />hold the seat for nearly a full term. <br />2. Ifthe change to the charter were approved, it could leave open the temptation for abuse of <br />power for political purposes. <br />3. It is easier to lobby 5 or 6 council members to appoint a replacement, than convince the <br />- electorate. <br />4. It is possible to manipulate the process by assuring an appointment who leans toward the <br />ideology of the majority on the city council. <br />5. The appointee would have the luxury of being the incumbent in any future elections giving him! <br />her a significant advantage. <br /> <br />Thank you for this opportunity to include this letter as part of the official record of this evenings <br />meeting. <br /> <br />Terri Cleveland <br />