Charter panel reverses, backs strong mayor

After a controversial four-hour session loaded with outbursts and spicy debate, the city's Home Rule Charter Study Commission voted 6-5 on Wednesday to keep Scranton's strong-mayor form of government.

The decision to keep the strong-mayor form reversed a decision made by the commission in October to change the city's form of government to one led by a professional city manager.

Now, the commission -- which for the past year has been working to rewrite the charter, a document that acts as the city's constitution -- will have to expedite efforts to get the proposed charter supporting the strong mayor form completed by its May deadline. After that, the proposed charter will be put on the ballot for final approval by Scranton voters.

The decision to change -- spurred by a much-publicized change of heart by Commissioner Bob Sheridan -- was bashed by citizens at the meeting, as well as the five other commissioners who have backed the city-manager form of government.

Mr. Sheridan and the other strong-mayor backers -- commissioners Terry Osborne, Charles Spano, Wayne Evans, Joseph Cardamone and Sean Hanlon -- cited a desire to make accountability and leadership strong proponents of a new charter.

They promise that significant changes will be made to make sure that happens.

"The existing home rule charter is broken -- broken beyond repair," Mr. Evans said. "Can the city withstand such a drastic change (to a city-manager form)? It not only may be wrong. It may be reckless. It may be irresponsible."

Fellow commissioners who suddenly found themselves in the minority on the city-manager/strong-mayor issue greeted those beliefs with venom, suggesting Mr. Sheridan's flip-flop was motivated by politics -- and little else.

Wednesday's events -- described by several commissioners as a "disgrace" -- left a sour taste in the mouths of several members of the board that once set its goal as eliminating "politics as usual" in Scranton.

"Obviously, that's not doable in this city," Commissioner Annette Palutis said. "People get elected to commissions here to promote their own personal agendas. It's a sorry day, but not for this commission. It's a sorry day for the people of the city of Scranton.

"If you continue to do what you always did, you will continue to get what you always got."

Mr. Sheridan said his decision was based on input from the public, as well as what he felt was right.

"The form of government is in good shape," said Mr. Sheridan, who added that he changed his vote because he feels a strong mayor is more accountable to the people than a professional manager hired by City Council. "We need to make sure the leadership is right."

Commission Chairwoman Nancy Kay Holmes expressed regret that the previous vote was reversed.

"I believe Scranton had one shining moment of hope that somehow, some way, could be a change so significant that people would be enthusiastic again -- not about the government or the form of government, but the hope that went with it," Mrs. Holmes said. "I just find it very sad."

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