May 23, 2016
Charter Review Commission sets Town Hall meeting
June 13 meeting designed to garner public input
MURPHY (May 23, 2016) Nearing the end of their deliberations, Murphy’s Charter Review Commission has issued an invitation to all residents to attend a Town Hall-style meeting on June 13 to review and comment on their work, says Barbara Harless, Chair of the current CRC.
“The work of the commission has been ongoing for several weeks,” she said. “We’re extending a special invitation to the public to make comments, ask questions and participate in the discussion.”
The Town Hall meeting is set for Monday, June 13 starting at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of City Hall, 206 North Murphy Road. The meeting is open to the public, hosted by the Commission, specifically to hear from Murphy residents on the recommended changes to the City charter.
Murphy appoints a Charter Review Commission every six years, made up of 11 members, “to review the Charter, inquire into the operation of City Government, determine whether any Charter provisions need revision, propose any recommendations and report its findings to the City Council.”
The eleven members include Harless, Vice Chair John Wideman, and members Chi Egwuekwe, Will Ewin IV, Michelle Foley, Bernard J. Grant, James Holley, Christine Johnson, Jody Johnson, Kevin McGillis, and Revis E. Smith.
Wideman says the CRC meetings have been very productive, but that citizen input has been limited.
“Our meetings have been open and have been posted by the City Secretary on all of the usual sites,” he said. “So far, though, we’ve been working without a lot of citizen input. The Town Hall meeting on June 13 is designed to get the kind of input and feedback that will validate our work.”
The Community Room is located on the south end of City Hall and plenty of parking is available at the various City Hall lots. A presentation by the Commission Chair will open the Town Hall meeting, followed by a question and answer session and an open discussion on the proposed revisions. The current Charter can be viewed by visiting: http://z2.franklinlegal.net/franklin/Z2Browser2.html?showset=murphyset.
“A republican form of government starts at the local level,” said Harless. “This opportunity to have an impact on the way the City operates is critically important. It’s an opportunity that should be taken advantage of by all citizens.”
Proposed amendments approved by the City Council will be placed on the ballot during the General Election in November.
###