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4 <br /> <br /> Opponents argue: The manager~plan is "dictatorial" <br />and "undemocratic" because the entire responsibility for <br />administration, including the power to hire and fire, is in <br />the manager. The people have no opportunity to select the <br />manager. They can control him, if .at all, only through the <br />indirect method of electing the council. <br /> <br /> Proponents counter-argue~ A plan cannot be <br />considered dictatorial when the "dictator" is removable at <br />the will of a popularly elected body. It cannot be <br />considered "undemocratic" because its chief administrator <br />is appointed any more than the school board system can be <br />considered undemocratic. The very fact that managers have <br />indefinite tenure means that they must be the most tactful <br />and conciliatory of men. Managers who have tried <br />imperiously to impose their ideas on the community, have <br />not been successful nor have they long retained their jobs. <br /> <br />5. COMPETENCE OF COUNCIL <br /> <br /> Proponents say: Under the manager plan councils. <br />will be composed of more competent members. When <br />time-consuming administrative details have been given to a <br />manager, community leaders will be more easily induced to <br />seek council membership. Moreover, voters have only a few <br />positions to fill and can, therefore, concentrate on <br />electing the best men. <br /> <br /> OpDonents answer: Although this may be a <br />persuasive, theoretical argument, experience has <br />demonstrated that the caliber of the council members has <br />not been significantly affected by adoption of the manager <br />plan. <br /> <br /> Proponents reply: How much improvement in the <br />competence of councils can be attributed to the manager <br />plan is, of course, very difficult.to prove. But it can <br />certainly be argued that the manager plan tends to produce <br />better councils. Furthermore, even if the councilmen were <br />not of any higher caliber under the manager plan they are <br />able to do a better job of determining policies because <br />they are~freed from the need for attention to the mass of <br />details that beset councils of commission or council-mayor <br />cities and they are likely to be provided with the <br />information necessary for sound policy decisions. <br /> <br />-24- <br /> <br /> <br />