Published: November 04, 2009 06:59 am      

Charter committee holds first meeting

Members of the city of Orange charter change committee held their first meeting Tuesday morning with many items to discuss.

Although no big decisions were “set in stone”, some ideas were discussed for members to ponder before the next meeting.

One of the items discussed was how many members would be seated on the council. Mayor Brown Claybar said he would like to see a system where there are four council members for each single member district in addition to two at-large seats which will mean six council members. The mayor’s position will serve as the seventh person seated with the council members. It was also suggested council members serve three year terms. The committee also discussed council members being elected by the entire city, but the candidates will have to live within the district they are representing.

“We are not reinventing the wheel here,” Claybar said. “It’s a proven system.”

However, committee member Henry Lowe said he has talked with citizens who want someone held accountable in their area.

Lowe explained he felt after town hall meetings that some people were frustrated because citizens did not feel they had anybody to turn to and address issues on their behalf.

“We want someone’s feet held to the fire,” Lowe said.

However, Claybar said that nobody can do anything by themselves.

“Do you want to be a noise or do you want to be effective?” Claybar asked.

Council member, Theresa Beauchamp, said people have called her from all parts of the city.

“I think we look at what is best for the city as a whole,” she said.

Lowe also questioned the legality of the prior election.

But, Claybar said the U.S. Department of Justice had approved the last election.

“We are in compliance with federal law,” he added.

Lowe also said he felt for a city the size of Orange that four council members is “right for a city this size.”

Also to be taken into consideration during future meetings is the population count. During the 2000 census, the population count was about 19,000. Claybar said he does not think this is accurate with current data because of the annexation of Little Cypress and the fact of two hurricanes which have displaced many people from the area.

“I don’t want to create one problem while trying to solve another problem,” Claybar said. “It would not be wise to pay a demographer to draw the districts with possible invalid information.”

Committee members will have to decide the methodology, then the district lines can be drawn, that is if the voters pass the charter change amendment. Then a demographer can be hired, Claybar said.

Future discussions for the committee will also include determining the wording for the ballot to allow the charter change.

The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Orange Public Library.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.