Petition for Full-Time Mayor Fails in Brooklyn Center
A group of citizens have been working to change Brooklyn Center’s form of government to one that would eliminate the city manager position and pass responsibilities on to a full-time mayor.
The petition by Citizens for a Full-Time Mayor collected more than 1,100 signatures on their petition, but Brooklyn Center City Clerk Barbara Suciu rejected the petition earlier this month because “it was found insufficient by state requirements.”
The petition was not resubmitted by Monday’s deadline, so the measure will not be on the November ballot.
In a statement to CCX News, Citizens for a Full-Time Mayor said they were disappointed and are temporarily suspending their efforts.
‘The decision of the City Clerk, Barbara Suciu in throwing out our entire effort was intended to hijack the democratic will of Brooklyn Center citizens who are determined to see a change in the way the city government is currently structured,” said Stefanie Nelson, Campaign Manager of the Citizens for a Full-Time Mayor in a statement to CCX News.
FULL STATEMENT:
Representatives from the group Citizens for a Full-Time Mayor say they are temporarily suspending efforts to amend the city charter making the elected mayor a full-time position and giving them the duties and responsibilities currently held by the appointed City Manager. The petition was signed by more than 1100 Brooklyn Centers residents who favor amending the city charter before it was invalidated by the City Clark on August 5, 2022.
‘The decision of the City Clerk, Barbara Suciu in throwing out our entire effort was intended to hijack the democratic will of Brooklyn Center citizens who are determined to see a change in the way the city government is currently structured,” said Stefanie Nelson, Campaign Manager of the Citizens for a Full-Time Mayor. Nelson added that the intent of the 10-day window as provided by the state statute was to remedy insufficiencies in the process and not to redo the entire exercise.
Citizens for a Full-Time Mayor has stated that prior to collecting signatures, members of the group sought the advice and subsequent approval of the City Clark relative to the form and structure of the petition language and the signature sheet. This was done to ensure the petition was in conformity with the state statutes. Members of the group stated that they were therefore “shocked” to have the same clerk declare the petition “insufficient”.
“We are disappointed that making changes in our community has so many barriers, however, we are extremely hopeful that through more education of our residents that change can still occur in our city,” Nelson said. “The mayor of Brooklyn Center needs to be more than just a picture at events- they need to be a stronger voice for the citizens who vote them into office.”
Citizens for a Full-Time Mayor will remain steadfast in its resolve to ensure that the voices of Brooklyn Center voters are heard on this important issue. According to the group, they plan to continue their efforts to ensure that the amendment will eventually make it onto the ballot.
