WHY SAGINAW NEEDS A NEW CITY CHARTER

Many people who work for the city or have relatives who work for the city or who have a vested interest in the status quo have expressed their defense of various factors to establish the notion they were not responsible for the "drastic decline" of the City of Saginaw.

At one time or another I have been told the following:

* At a May 9, 2007, meeting sponsored by the Ezekiel Project of Saginaw, the final page of its printed handout said:  "It wasn't an allegedly inefficient city government that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline."

Others have said:
* 'It isn't the actions of Saginaw City Council that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the deterioration of the central business district that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the fault of the law enforcement agencies that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the fault of the Saginaw River as a racial dividing line that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the lack of recreational activities that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the fault of high property taxes that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the combined income tax and property taxes that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the fault of the city manager form of government administration that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the high cost and low results of the city school district that caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.'
* 'It isn't the political control that is promulgated and exercised by the church leaders in Saginaw City that has caused the drastic decline in the city.'
* 'It isn't the flight of 40,000 Saginaw City citizens that has caused the drastic decline in the City of Saginaw.'

Nope! It surely isn't all of the other reasons that people complain about that has caused Saginaw City's drastic decline.

It is, however, very clear that all the people who make the statements listed above do AGREE on one thing, the "drastic decline' of the City of Saginaw is a fact!

City Hall, The Saginaw Chamber of Commerce, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Police Officers' Union and The Saginaw News all oppose the new Charter.

I guess they like the "drastic decline" of the city.

We need a new beginning in Saginaw. We cannot continue the same old way. We need a new blueprint on how Saginaw can regain its historic position a great place to live in Michigan.

In 1953-54, the State Bar of Michigan did an economic survey in Michigan to determine the top location in the state for an attorney to locate a practice. The City of Saginaw won first place. That survey was right then and for many years afterward. I know because that was the reason I came to Saginaw in 1955.

Today the City of Saginaw is in "DRASTIC DECLINE."

Only a new blueprint for success can save us. Only a new approach to the problems in Saginaw can save us.

Only a new, bold and democratic approach to government in the City of Saginaw can save us!

The only salvation to reverse the 'DRASTIC DECLINE" in Saginaw is to return the "POWER TO THE PEOPLE" who actually live in the city.

The new City Charter revision returns the "POWER TO THE PEOPLE" who actually live in the city as its primary purpose.
If you support change, please give me a phone call.

Allan C. Schmid
Saginaw Charter Commission
989-799-4641

Editor's Note:

Governor Jennifer Granholm has approved the language for a new charter for the City of Saginaw that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, August 7thfor public vote.

In upcoming issues leading to the day of decision, 'The Review' will be examining various components of the proposed charter and addressing the objections of those that oppose it.

As a member of the Charter Commission and Drafting Committee, I can assure you that countless hours have been invested to shape a document that is solid, fair, equitable, and a blueprint for the future of the city. 

This has been accomplished at open meetings, soliciting public input, and consequently resulted in numerous revisions that have resulted in a document that I am proud to have had a part in creating.

Change can be a frightening thing. But fear of change & retaining the status quo can be far worse.

In the words of Henry Thoreau, "I learned this at least by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live that life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. He will leave some things behind, will pass an invisible boundary; new, universal laws will begin to establish themselves around and within him. If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundation under them."

- Robert E. Martin