Mayor Pitches Governing Changes

[krazeeboi]

Coble needs to retire nad let Kirk Finlay III take the helm. If he is half the mayor his father was, the discussion of changing the form of government would cease.

[mainstreeter]

I agree.

[waccamatt]

I don't. Kirkman is an idiot! His father had vision, he is blind

[vicupstate]

I don't. Kirkman is an idiot! His father had vision, he is blind

[Spartan]

If Finlay III can make it on his own merit then I'm all for it. Don't just support the guy because his father was a visionary.

When it comes to local government structure, I can't decide what would be best. The reality is that it comes from how effective the structure is. In some cities- typically larger ones- a strong mayor is beneficial because you have the diversity needed and the population base to support that style of government. More importantly, there are more people to step up if one mayor doesn't cut it. In a smaller town, that may not be the case. A more council orient form of government amy be more appropriate because you have to come to a consensus on issues, rather than have one guy decide things.

As far as Columbia goes, I can't say I have a problem with they way things are going because obviously something is working just fine.

[krazeeboi]

I don't. Kirkman is an idiot! His father had vision, he is blind

[vicupstate]

If Finlay III can make it on his own merit then I'm all for it. Don't just support the guy because his father was a visionary.

As far as Columbia goes, I can't say I have a problem with they way things are going because obviously something is working just fine.

[krazeeboi]

Given the advantages of geography, state government, USC and all that comes with that, it should be the state's premier city, rather than sharing the top tier with Greenville and Charleston.

[Mr.Marc]

I can't argue with that. I actually think Columbia really had a chance to separate itself from the pack in the 90's, but for some reason that didn't happen.

[krazeeboi]

How? I don't see how Columbia could compete with Charleston's tourism economy. However, maybe we could have landed some of the companies that the Greenville area has such as BMW.

[Captain Worley]

^ I definitely agree that the Main street rework, Canalside, and Air South could have been handled much better than they were. I'm hoping, and it looks to be the case, that they may have learned from the past mistakes.

I also think the Five Points and Lady Street work didn't do Columbia any favors in attracting business. Both took much longer than planned and the city really seemed to be uncaring towards the business owners.At least, that's how it came off. Maybe the lessons learned will help in making the Main Street revitalization go a lot smoother. I sure hope so, because that's a major corridor and any snafus will be noted.

[krazeeboi]

I also think the Five Points and Lady Street work didn't do Columbia any favors in attracting business.

[krazeeboi]

The commission studying possible restructuring of Columbia city government will try to agree on a report and recommendations Monday after nearly three years of delays. Those recommendations include adding a full-time mayor to its current council-manager system, changing election dates to coincide with November general elections and consolidating more of its services with the county. The draft report stops short of advocating a switch to a strong-mayor form of government, which would eliminate the city manager and have the mayor and his or her staff run day-to-day operations. It introduces a hybrid form that would make the mayor

[krazeeboi]

The Columbia Restructuring Commission voted to keep the present manager-council form of government in City Hall after devoting three years and $40,000 of taxpayers

[Spartan]

While it would have been a good change, I don't think that it will kill Columbia to keep it as is. Charlotte seem to do ok with a Council-Manager form of government

[krazeeboi]

Even with the current setup, I think the mayor's position needs to be a full time one.

[Captain Worley]

Nine months later, do you still feel the same way? Personally, I think the streetscaping/beautification work has definitely helped those areas in attracting new investment.