COUNCIL REDUCTION
REDUCING COUNCIL FROM NINE TO SEVEN:
Resident urge leaders to act now to decrease North Braddock Borough Council from nine to seven members with two council members in each ward and one elected council member at large elected to four year terms.
North Braddock’s population steadily decreased since the 1930 census, but council size never decreased. Since 1966, state guidelines require only 2 members in each ward. North Braddock continues to have 3 members in each ward since the council was made before 1966. North Braddock has the largest council in the Woodland Hills School District. The decrease would achieve a council less unwieldy in size, a council comparable in size to surrounding boroughs, a reduction in borough expenditures, and the expedition of the conduct at council meetings.
With a lack of interest in the community, it would be beneficial to reduce the size of government. Smaller government would tighten election races and hold officials more accountable if they are seeking to be reelected.
At least 5% of the registered electors of the borough shall have the power to petition council for a decrease in the number of members of council from each ward, except that the council may not consist of less than seven members.
FACTS ON COUNCIL SIZE:
REASONS TO DECREASE COUNCIL:
ONLINE PETITION EXAMPLE FOR RESIDENTS:
https://www.change.org/p/north-braddock-borough-council-reduce-north-braddock-borough-council-from-nine-elected-seats-to-seven-elected-seats?recruiter=543952931&utm_source=petitions_show_components_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink
Resident urge leaders to act now to decrease North Braddock Borough Council from nine to seven members with two council members in each ward and one elected council member at large elected to four year terms.
North Braddock’s population steadily decreased since the 1930 census, but council size never decreased. Since 1966, state guidelines require only 2 members in each ward. North Braddock continues to have 3 members in each ward since the council was made before 1966. North Braddock has the largest council in the Woodland Hills School District. The decrease would achieve a council less unwieldy in size, a council comparable in size to surrounding boroughs, a reduction in borough expenditures, and the expedition of the conduct at council meetings.
With a lack of interest in the community, it would be beneficial to reduce the size of government. Smaller government would tighten election races and hold officials more accountable if they are seeking to be reelected.
At least 5% of the registered electors of the borough shall have the power to petition council for a decrease in the number of members of council from each ward, except that the council may not consist of less than seven members.
FACTS ON COUNCIL SIZE:
- Population peaked in 1930 at 16,782, while only 4,857 residents in 2010.
- 11,925 residents lost since 1930, but government size never changed.
- Population fell 6,410 to 4,857 during 2000-2010, which is a 24% decline.
- Act 47 economic recovery plan recommended council reduction in 1996.
- Eliminating two positions saves money for a struggling community.
- Smaller government is more efficient and tightly regulated.
- Fewer seats create tighter elections & are easier to fill with interested candidates.
- Less candidate interest with resident turnover and rental property residents.
- North Braddock is the only town in Woodland Hills School District with 9 seats.
- Forest Hills, Swissvale, Turtle Creek, & Wilkins have more residents, but only 7 elected seats.
- The majority of boroughs in Pennsylvania fall in the group of 7 council seats.
- Guidelines allow communities under 3,000 residents to decrease to 5 seats. North Braddock could possibly be under that population in the future.
- FYI: Monroeville has 28,386 residents, 19.8 sq. mi, but only 7 council seats.
REASONS TO DECREASE COUNCIL:
- Make local government more efficient
- Make it easier to find people to run for office
- Create tighter election races encouraging officials to perform better for re-election
- Make government less unwieldy in size
- Make council comparable in size to surrounding boroughs
- Reduce borough expenditures
- Improve the expedition of conduct at meetings
- Join the majority of Pennsylvania communities with seven seats
- Decreasing was recommended since the 1996 economic recovery plan and 20 years later it never has changed
- Support change with residents and elected officials working together
- End the reputation that the community is behind the times with needed changed
ONLINE PETITION EXAMPLE FOR RESIDENTS:
https://www.change.org/p/north-braddock-borough-council-reduce-north-braddock-borough-council-from-nine-elected-seats-to-seven-elected-seats?recruiter=543952931&utm_source=petitions_show_components_action_panel_wrapper&utm_medium=copylink
Council Reduction Facts |
Council Decrease Reasons |
Council Petition |