League City Politics - Civics for Dummies

Before I get into the meat of this post, let me start by stating the following:

Byram Lass - I would think as a Christian you would try to avoid making errant assumptions.  I am NOT affiliated with Elaine Kosty, nor any candidates she endorses, in any way whatsoever.  Also, since it was discussed, I am, in fact, male.  Y'all may like to think I am associated with Kosty, and you're welcome to do so, but I question your values when you continually make such an assumption.  My only interaction with Elaine Kosty was that she DID respond to messages on Facebook before y'all locked out Mr. Rothbard (Which is more than can be said for Chris John Mallios who simply refused to reply).  The information I share is not anything I've been fed by anyone whatsoever.  Google is a powerful tool, and what I share is the result of my own research.  This is why I've left so many open questions for you clowns at League City Politics is a Full Contact Sport to answer - I've got an open mind; however, the only person who has clarified anything regarding information I've dug up on my own is Elaine Kosty.  Instead, y'all like to stick to making assumptions about my identity and allegiance.  So, y'all may continue to take George Turski's advice and try to silence my voice.  Or you can continue to assume I'm someone else you remember from the past, like Mick Phalen wants you to do.  But here's the truth - You don't know me.  I've never been involved with any League City politicians.  What I am is a concerned League City resident who found the tone of comments at City Council meetings, set by such caustic personalities as Mr. Bill Heins and Ms. Mel Kelly, to be not only a waste of time for our Council and Mayor to listen to, but such a turn-off that I've decided to become a mouthpiece for more reasonable individuals.  Here's a lesson in marketing for you - silence your loud-mouths (Byram Lass, Mel Kelly, John Bowen, Bill Heins, Mick Phalen, and Karl Wankowicz) or y'all are going to completely turn off the rest of the average joe voters in League City.  But hey, you don't have to take my advice on this, in fact, please don't: keep damaging the chances for the candidates y'all support.  In fact, I'll just throw this out there so the candidates themselves can see it - I was excited about Mr. Millican running for council.  Every time he has spoken he has a calm, reasoned, thoughtful position that he is taking.  He doesn't seem to fall victim to the knee-jerk reactionism that afflicts you regular clowns on League City Politics is a Full Contact Sport.  However, given the tone y'all have taken, and how you have responded to anyone who disagrees or so much as poses questions on Mr. Mallios's Facebook group, and the fact that y'all are endorsing the trio of Salcedo, Gripon, and Millican, I don't think I can vote for him.  Being a small-l libertarian Republican myself, I was also excited by Mr. Brown at first; however, the comments from his wife and his attempts to ingratiate himself with your group of clowns has also turned me off.  What a waste.  Two good candidates ruined by your loud mouths.  So y'all can try to silence me, but I promise you this - the rest of the public is seeing this same thing, and my opinion is not unique.

Moving on to Civics for Dummies.  Here's a lesson in the council-manager form of government for y'all.  First a couple points in bulleted format for you TL;DR types:

• The large majority of cities in Texas are council-manager, not strong-mayor form of government (>80%)
• The council-manager form of government is being adopted every year by more cities than it is being abandoned by cities.
• "Managers serve at the pleasure of their city councils and sometimes must bear the brunt of attacks that sometimes should be levied against the governing body." (1)
• Because of this, contracts and severance agreements are becoming more prevalent." (1)
• "The position of “mayor” present in this type of legislative body is a largely ceremonial title... with no executive functions" (2)
•  The City Manager functions like a CEO, NOT the Mayor
• The purpose of a City Manager is to limit the potential for political machines (like the Green Team) and to prevent the spoils system from developing (probably the reason y'all would like to go back to a strong mayor - what's in it for you?)
• The National Civic League (which advocates for transparency, effectiveness, and openness in local government) recommends the council-manager form of government

Now, I have to ask - why have the Mayor and his supporters picked a fight with our City Manager?  Here's the reasons I think this was a mistake

• League City voted to have a council-manager form of government with a 73-27% ratio, in a standard election.  Mayor Hallisey was elected in a 52-48% ratio, in a special election that saw far fewer voters turn out.  In other words, the public provided a CLEAR  mandate that we want a city manager, not a strong mayor, but there was nothing related to a "mandate" for Mayor Hallisey (no matter how loud his supporters may shout)
• The City Manager serves at the will of the Council.  Y'all don't like the Council, and you want to have the Mayor's babies.  I get it.  But you need to consider the following:
• Had Kranz won as mayor, would you want a Strong mayor (I highly doubt it)
• Should the Green Team gain control of the Council - wouldn't you want a City Manager who is so skilled at implementing the policies of the Council that the opposition hates the City Manager?  In other words, your anger is misdirected when attacking the City Manager.
• Y'all are just sore losers and an extremely vocal minority that has a slight taste of power because you have the ceremonial Mayor's position (for now)
• The potential for someone to abuse power as City Manager is VERY limited - the Council is in charge of them.  The potential for someone to abuse power as a strong mayor is great (probably why the Mayor likes to keep fantasizing that we'll revert to this archaic form of government).  

And finally, here's some other final points about the City Manager y'all should consider before you talk out your collective rear ends:

•  You complain about turnover of city staff and perceived slights you've felt the Council has dealt the staff and police officers - yet the City Staff are the ones who have the most complaints about the Mayor.  The City Staff are the ones who are happy with the City Manager.  You should keep this in mind if you're concerned about retaining quality civil servants.
• The way you want to punish the City Manager (for being good at his job and performing as expected by his employers - the City Council) will make it hard for League City to attract and retain quality employees in the future should the Green Team go after the City Manager and City Attorney for performing their jobs well in support of their employer. 
• Y'all may fancy the people to be the employer of the city staff; however, there is no way they could serve everyone, and the fact is we have a representative form of government.  The staff works for the council.  The council works for the people.  As petty as I view Mel Kelly's recall-Becker effort to be; at least she somewhat gets it - the answer, if you're not happy, is to change the council.  Again, as 311 put it... it's a case of misdirected hostility.
• Some of y'all have complained about the "golden handcuff" contract for the City Manager- but it's EXACTLY because of your vindictive attitude that the city has to put that into contracts if it wants to be able to hire any decent city manager.  In other words - it's your fault, thanks a lot.

Now, y'all don't have to respond to any of this - but be sure that there are plenty of other undecided voters out there that will see this (over 600 page views for a blog that's been up for less than a week).  Your silence in response to questions and issues I've raised will be noted, as that speaks volumes of what your candidates think of the rest of us in this city besides the "friends" who have run their campaigns.  
References:

1) Texas State Historical Association - https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/moc02
2) Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council-manager_government