Des Plaines manager too powerful

I was surprised and became concerned after reading the recent editorial in the Journal about actions taken by the city manager. The manager, Jason Bajor, seems well-informed and capable but is accumulating too much power. He has authority in the legal, human resources, public information, and now surprisingly has taken charge of preparing the agenda for city council meetings which can influence what business he would like to pursue. All this was evidentially done with the mayor's blessing.

Our new city clerk Gloria Ludwig is conscientious and has experience, she well qualified for her job. With her job relegated to a part-time position she cannot handle extra work but the staff that does handle it should be under HER control. This concentration of power is not just unwise, it is dangerous. The power being assigned to city manager is being laid out for not just Bajor but also for all subsequent holders in this office, whether they may or may not be capable.

My professor at Northwestern Univ. explained that audits are performed on companies not so much to find fraud but to establish safe control procedures and to verify that they are followed. The best way to accomplish this is by a division of responsibility.

The city clerk is elected whereas the city manager is not. Note the problem with an inept and financially irresponsible Todd Stroger who has so much authority that he can ignore or veto many reforms suggested by committees in various studies.

Just as it is in Washington D.C., a division of power is needed at the local level.

Mr. Bajor should rethink his goals.

The mayor and council should insist on a division of power. The taxpayer should help guide their officials by contacting them with constructive suggestions and expressing any concerns that they may have.

William McNutt

Des Plaines