Question

What kind of management style is there in Jonesboro, Georgia?Include also the number of voting members of the Council as well. Now, research a program / policy that was recently passed that you feel had a considerable amount of citizen input. Normally that is the latest "hot button" issue. Describe the program / policy and a few reasons why the citizenry is for / against it. Examine the section in Chapter 4 on Citizen influence on City Government. Did the vote go the way you would imagine it? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Upon analysis of various contentious events that have taken place in Jonesboro, GA in the recent past, it seems that the management style is participatory in nature and members of the public are well represented, either directly or through representatives.

The issue that is being discussed in the context of the question given is that of voting method in Jonesboro, wherein the existing system is that of at-large voting and the proposed change is district voting. Rep Mike Glanton who is a member of the Clayton County Legislative Delegation, had introduced bills to create voting districts in Jonesboro and a few other cities in the county. The logic behind the move was to create fairer representation (since in at large system, there is a chance that all voted members may from the same neighborhood) also from the candidate’s perspective, a lot of money would be saved in campaigning.

This was however met with resistance from the city, represented by its mayor Joy Day. The resistance was on the back of the fact that the city is too small for creation of districts and hence the proposal is not feasible.

It is very much possible for the delegation to change the city charters on voting methods, since they grant city charters. However the same was not done and following citizen’s opposition, the system of at-large voting was retained.

Jonesboro is a city under the Clayton County and has 7 seats in the city council.