12/12/12

12/12/12;a special date that will not happen again for the next 89 years. Those who are superstitious  believe  triple digit dates mean good luck. That is why there is a boom in marriages today. Let us hope that their belief is true.

The next important date is 12/20/12 when the world will end. At least some misinterpret the Mayan calender which  has a cycle that ends on that date. Don't worry, your X-mas plans will be OK.

I am sorry to have missed  last nights Charter Commission meeting. This Commission was formed according to the Faulkner Act's rules which were not applicable. I would hope that the end result is not to adopt that act's proscribed formats as they are too restrictive.  The present Charter can be modified.

The two essential changes are that the Council selects the City Clerk who is their secretary. The other very important change is for the Council to have its independent attorney. The present role of the Corporation Counsel who is appointed and serves at the pleasure of the Mayor; representing the Council in disputes is ludicrous as the record shows.

There is some merit in Alan Goldstein's  recommendations in  his comments to Bernice's blog today. Two year terms of all Councillors with a number of terms limit (6-8?) may be a good way to go. Incompetents  would not stay for  4 years. Also perhaps 2 per ward plus 1 at large might be a good idea.

I would also hope the Commission would  redraw the "Departments. Health Services  should be part of Public Safety. Also the politically motivated elimination of the Police Chief should be rescinded

The spate of nationwide shootings in public places is one more argument for the restrictions on the sales of hand weapons to the public. Shotguns and rifles for licensed hunting would be OK if well controlled. Pistols and automatics have no place  in the public hands except under strict regulated conditions and  with periodic renewals. Certainly there should be no sale of assault weapons to other than law enforce3ment or military units.