NEWBURGH – Over two dozen Newburgh residents told the city council Monday night that they support a charter review commission. Currently, the city operates with a full-time city manager and seven council members including the mayor.
But many who spoke, including some council members, said the city manager system, which has been in place for over 100 years, is not working.
The city council is comprised of black and brown residents and they would like the make up of the charter commission to reflect that the city population is minority.
An emotional Councilman Omari Shakur was passionate about the need for change.
“Since 1917 while there was a white majority council, this charter was working for them. But now look, it’s black and Hispanic up here now and now all of a sudden there is a problem,” he said. “In a city that is 80 percent black and Hispanic, look who’s complaining. Look at the majority of who is complaining. I’m glad they’re here because we got it now and we can make the changes that we have been trying to make for years on this charter.”
Council members said selection of the commission members must be a transparent process. Other members said the city manager form of governor is not working and as an example, some pointed to the last manager, Todd Venning, who is black, who ruled with an iron fist, often dictating to the elected council members what would be addressed.
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