VOTE ON ALL CHARTER IDEAS

The Cape Girardeau City Council will consider placing a number of charter amendments on the ballot at its next meeting.

In all, the committee has recommended eight revisions to the city's governing document. Six of the amendments were unanimously approved by the commission, including creation of an ethics commission.

Some council members don't like the idea of a local ethics commission. After all, state guidelines are already in place. But past city councils have demonstrated that problems with conflicts can still surface.

The charter review committee has worked more than a year coming up with its list of recommendations. The council hand-picked a good review committee, whose members include several former city council members and individuals who forged the original city charter. Instead of picking and choosing which recommendations to put on the ballot, the council might be better advised to forward all eight proposed amendments directly to a vote of the people.

It also would be a good idea if both the council and the public are allowed to vote on these amendments separately instead of as a package. That way each amendment will pass on its own merit. Voters will decide on the charter amendments next April.

The pros and cons of each amendment can be debated publicly between now and April so informed voters are quite clear of all implications. Changing a city charter is a serious matter. But legitimate improvements can make a good city governing system even better.