What Are The Exact Requirements For City Council?
Excuse my plain ol’ ignorance, but I have to ask a question? What are the exact requirements to run for Aberdeen City Council? By looking at the applicants thus far, I can see that you do not in fact need a college degree and in no way do you need previous political experience.
Now, today is the last day that the city is excepting applicants at City Hall so… if you want to get your name in there you better shut your laptop and run, not walk, on over to Parke St. Personally, I would love to run for this city because I feel that Aberdeen is in need of some fresh changes and new blood but I have no experience nor a real platform on which to run.
Of course, neither do many of the existing "contestants". If you say the words, "…or I don’t know", as part of your in office game plan, then I think you need to move on to another office position. What do we need here in Aberdeen?
Hmm… that is a tough question. In my humble opinion, we need change. We need someone that is going to get in here and listen to the real issues at hand and shake the place up. We need someone with a big ol’ backbone that will say, "enough is enough and it is not the residents fault that the stadium has created a huge deficit". We need someone that sees the value in extra police force.
Shall I go on… we need a positive infrastructure before the burden of BRAC makes it’s final move into the area, we need modern type of thinking and to jump right on in the 21st century.
Now in no way am I saying that I have all the answers and do not expect one running mate to be able to provide the complete package. I am just offering a bit of what goes on in my head when the words "Aberdeen City Council" are said aloud.
What do you think about the prospective council members. Do you think you would have what it takes to make a real difference? If so… like I said above, run on over to Parke St…. now!
Hi Kj
The main requirements to run for city council is to be a registered voter, a resident for 2 years or more, and endorsement from 20 registered voters. I do think they should add a background, financial and criminal background check. Ripken Stadium made almost 3 million dollars in profit in 2007. It is a gold mine and there are people involved who are trying to take this gold mine from residents of Aberdeen. The team rents the stadium for one dollar a year and keeps almost all the profits from games and events. Aberdeen only gets 260,000 way below the 23% we put in, to build the stadium. I think we the citizens of Aberdeen should fight tooth and nail to keep the stadium or buy out everyone who is making a profit from it and keep the 3 million in Aberdeen! The present mayor plans to increase the 2008 budget by 5 million dollars. http://www.harfordflyer.com
Hi,
Thanks Nicole. Appreciate the list. I agree, I think there should be more background check and such. And I agree, the stadium is great. Personally, we are season ticket holders and enjoy everything they have to offer there, BUT… I just have a big problem with raising city taxes in order to rectify the huge hole left by building the stadium. It is great for the community and like you said, it is a goldmine and could pull so much in for Aberdeen, if only Aberdeen was to see the monies.
City taxes going up, water going up, escrow being adjusted subsequently, state taxes going up, electric going up… you see where I am going with this. It has to stop somewhere. Aberdeen is very diverse in it’s population and demographics and I just fear that with taxes and everything else, the residents will have no choice but to sell their houses that they love and leave a wonderful community.
KJ
That’s the point Ripken stadium brings in 3 million dollars a year, that kind of money will more then pay for the up keep of the stadium and still bring in a profit for Aberdeen, but Aberdeen is not getting that money and that’s the problem. I really like to know who is making so much money off the backs of the citizens of Aberdeen.Don’t you?
http://www.harfordflyer.com click my views then other.
Sorry click http://www.harfordflyer.com the My Views then Facts.
Ripken/Tufton had better attorneys than the City did when the Stadium contracts were created. Since no one was paying attention when Wilson, Dacey and Brand (the true behind closed doors administration) The City negotiated a bad deal for the residents. There is no reason for Ripken to renegoiate those contracts. The team rents the Stadium for a dollar per year for 20 years and Ripken has the opportunity to purchase the Stadium at the end of the 20 years for a dollar. Why would they buy it now and take over the cost of maintenance etc. when the don’t have to and cut into their profit? Ripken even gets to accept or reject what goes in on the Nottingham piece of property so that project won’t compete with his.
I want to know why someone isn’t upset over the fact that they water all those fields with treated Aberdeen water when we supposedly don’t have any water. Do they pay for it? Do they still get to use it now that there are drought restrictions?
Why is the Mayor so shocked by the stadium contracts, he was on the Board of directors at the time!!
Apparently contracts are signed without anyone looking at them!!
Dad 51