MANVILLE: GOP council would counter ‘dictatorship’

To the editor:
   What is a dictatorship? It is defined as “an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual.”
   What is a democracy? It is “a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them.”
   Manville’s governing body is based on six council members and a mayor as the presiding officer. This is known as a “strong council, weak mayor” form of local government. The council works through committees, makes the decisions and presents them in resolutions or ordinances. They are voted on and ratified by the full council.
   However, this past year the council has been split, 3-3, and our mayor has had the deciding vote on virtually all the decisions made in town, including raising our property taxes. Manville can no longer afford this.
   Manville needs to tackle its flooding problem. We need to develop the Rustic Mall area and attract more businesses especially a grocery store. We need to put the town back in the hands of a strong council.
   Voting for Richard Onderko and Susan Horensky-Star will ensure that this balance is restored. They will work with the other council members to make sound decisions and control waste. They will work with government agencies to mitigate our flooding problems. They plan to keep our dispatchers and police in town to keep us safe.
   Voting for Richard Onderko and Susan Horensky-Star will give us a fair governing body not one controlled by one person. They will not vote to raise taxes when spending is increased and no cuts from the budget are made. So ask yourself, do you want a dictatorship or a democracy?
   Do you want higher property taxes or lower property taxes? Then go vote! They care about your future!
Nicole Sanders
Manville