Politics & Government

Council Candidate Demands Residents Have a Chance to Be Heard [VIDEO]

Jonathan Weydt spoke on behalf of more than a dozen other residents against a proposed change in how the city clerk, collector and treasurer are hired.

Attleboro City Council Ward 4 Candidate Jonathan Weydt is speaking out against a proposed change to the way Attleboro's clerk, treasurer and collector are hired. The change, which would have to to go through several steps, would mean the officials are appointed and not elected by the residents of Attleboro. 

Weydt told the Attleboro City Council Tuesday night that he and more than a dozen other residents had signed a petition against such a move, which would be like having "one man, (with) one vote" decide on who to appoint to those positions. 

"They all agree that this charter change would be a slap in the face to our city's residents and underestimates their intelligence at the ballot," Wedyt told the councilors. "Why tamper with a system that has served the people of Attleboro for over 97 years?"

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"I have heard and understand their concerns regarding the growing complexity and sophistication of the their jobs," he said about the clerk, treasurer and collector. "Why wouldn't any official rather have an appointed job as opposed to being elected? It's job security. They would only have to answer to either the mayor or the members of the council and eliminate the judgement of thousands of residents that make up the electorate of our great city."

Council President Frank Cook said such a change would take several steps. Cook assured Weydt and those in attendance at the meeting that such a move would need a change to the charter, which rarely occurs.

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Cook also said there would be several opportunities for the public to speak out before such a question would be included on a ballot in the 2012 election. 

City Councilor Richard Conti applauded Weydt for bringing the issue before the council and said he and others on the council received calls from residents after an article by the Sun Chronicle, which allegedly had some errors, "fired up people."


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