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Motion by Commissioner Childs and seconded by Commissioner Deemer to approve the Charter <br />Minutes of the regular meeting of April 19, 2001. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Commissioners Childs and Vogt. Voting No: None. Abstain: <br />Commissioner LaMere as she was not present at that meeting. (The rest of the members, who <br />were on the Commission at that time, had already stepped down from the dais and were in the <br />audience.) The new members of the Commission also abstained from voting. <br /> <br />COMMISSION BUSINESS: <br /> <br />Case #3: Special Election Questions (Continued) <br /> <br />a) Primary: <br />Chairperson Vogt stated that the Charter Commission has two duties tonight - discussing and/or <br />acting upon whether or not the City of Ramsey should have a primary election and whether or <br />not the City of Ramsey should go to a Ward system. He suggested the Commission begin with <br />the discussion of primaries. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs felt that having a primary election is a benefit - especially if there are <br />many candidates. People have to vote in the primary anyway. Running for office is a <br />commitment and a primary election would be a method to put credibility to the candidates' <br />efforts. <br /> <br />Mr. Kiefer offered that a primary is also a benefit to the candidate because it would cut the cost <br />of campaigning. <br /> <br />Mr. Norman stated that it is a benefit to the voter as it allows them the benefit of getting to know <br />candidates better. <br /> <br />Commissioner Deemer felt that the primary wording is not correct. He stated he is not exactly <br />enamored with the idea of a primary - but that he is open. He felt that if we put the ward system <br />in place, that may solve the "cattle call election". Reasoning being if you have four wards, he <br />cannot see 10 candidates in one ward. <br /> <br />Commissioner LaMere inquired if there is a timing issue with the primary issue as with wards. <br /> <br />Mr. Goodrich replied no, you have some time to work on this. <br /> <br />Commissioner Milless felt that the Commission should make a decision before January 1, 2002. <br />Research is fine, but we all live here and we know how it works. <br /> <br />Commissioner Childs stated he would not have a problem "sitting" on it for a little longer, but <br />agrees that it does have to be done before January. <br /> <br />Commissioner LaMere stated she could see Mr. Deemer's points. She has heard that same <br />comment before. She has heard Ramsey residents say that they do not have representation and <br /> <br />Charter Commission - May 24, 2001 <br /> Page 4 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />