Local business owners are keeping a close watch on what could be a large change in the way they work with Fayetteville city leaders.
A change in the city’s form of government from single-member districts to an at-large model would change the way residents interact with local elected leaders.
The idea is not new, but it gained steam during a Monday radio show hosted by Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin. Joining Colvin on the broadcast was former Mayor Tony Chavonne, who has been vocal about changing the way city council members represent residents.
Under the current system of representation, each of the nine elected council members represent nine districts within the city of Fayetteville. The mayor is the 10th member of the council and serves at large, meaning he represents the interest of all residents in the district.
The single-member district form of representation has been in place since voters approved the move in May 2000.
Chavonne, who is part of the Vote Yes Fayetteville organization, is proposing a hybrid model that reduces districts from nine to five single-member districts and four at-large members, with the mayor serving at-large and elected by the entire city.
The Vote Yes Fayetteville organization is gathering signatures to place their plan before voters in the form of a referendum.
Chavonne said on Monday that the hybrid model would “offer citizens a way to restructure the Fayetteville City Council and make it more answerable to voters."
Critics of the plan have said that adding more at-large seats could weaken representation because elected officials would no longer have a connection to a specific district. In fact it could set up a scenario where many, or all, of at-large council members are from one area of the city.
Find more details at the following links:
Former councilmen, mayors want to change council structure, create 'Vote Yes Fayetteville' [Fayetteville Observer]
https://bit.ly/3zrP18C
The MAYOR’S MOMENT™ with Mayor Mitch Colvin and Guest former Fayetteville, NC Mayor Tony Chavonne. [Mayor Mitch Colvin via Facebook]
Bill Kirby Jr.: Mayor, former mayor go one on one
https://bit.ly/2TN63NU
This is a developing story. Stay with bizfayetteville.com for updates.
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