Comments on: Mayoral Candidate Jim Merritt Answers Tough Urban Questions From the Tacoma Sun

By: ixia

ixia — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:40:09 +0000

The mayor and the council can be in charge of what Anderson does. They can override him if they have a will and a vision. The current council has not had much of either. Jim Merritt has proven that he has a vision for Tacoma and can bring it to fruition. We just need to remain alert and not let lethargy set in with the new council. It takes all of us to hold their feet to the fire.

By: Erik B.

Erik B. — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:51:43 +0000

Thanks for the comment Tom.

Out mayor is far stronger than is commonly believed in my opinion.

They get to chair the 9 person city council and deliberate with them unlike other mayors. True, other mayors have the power to veto but it is rarely used.

As far as Merritt’s position on the issue, you would have to check that out. Try contacting him through facebook and let us know what he says.

By: Tom Llewellyn

Tom Llewellyn — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:01:57 +0000

I like this guy. I like his ideas.

But my question is, “Does it really matter who is mayor, as long as we have a weak-mayor system?”

I want a strong mayor system. I want to vote for the guy in charge. What’s Merritt’s POV on a strong-mayor system?