1 - Ivan Allen, Jr. Digital Collection - Georgia Institute of Technology

Strong Mayor System '>t::#/Becomes Lot Stronger~By HANK EZELL The action means that p!rsonssetking future zoning preferences, Jackson said. amendments which had betnlast three seats for his O\\U quickly di!':pOled of t h r e eThe Atlanta City Colmcilhas given Mayor Maynard changes, or seeking to slOppressed by the cltywideWhee asked if he feels IheJackson the authority to name them, will get their say before council's decisioo swings theLeague of Neighborhoods. ..members of the Zoning Review people selected by Jackson, balance of power in favor ofpro-residential group whichBoard, a step which makes not by the council.the mayor ins~d of lite council,Jackson said: "Absolutely at 25,000 persons.estimates: Its active followin,the strong mayor system notablystronger.right to approve Jackson's not."Two of the league proposalsThe council retained theThe Monday afternoon decisioncame on a 12·5 vote and in practice such approvals to approve my appointees, tlal voice votes and a thirdnominations to the board. But "The council can still refuse "'we beaten down by subsla,n­end e d sometimes heated have been almost automatic, they can still refuse to approvedecisions by the board But their proposals took awas ruled out of order.wrangling over the appointive so much so that exceptionspower.are big news aroW\d. City and they can &till overTide my definite back seat to theOpponents argued that the Hall.,-eto so the notion that this actionhas upset lhe balance ofpower struggle.measure is a step towards"one-man government." If Jackson moves quickly onCouncilman Panke Bradleypower is totally inaccurate.·, • brought itthe appointments, the councilto a quick beadThe zoning process has been with an amendment whichcould "ote on !,hem at Its April at a standstill. City planners would have spread six of the15 meeting.stopped accepting zoning requestson Nov. 12 and only (.'()UIlCilmen, leaving three forn i n e appoin~ amongAlter processing and adver·tising, zoning hearings bef~re three requests h a v e ma~e tbemayor.the new board cou1d conce.LVablybegin in May.procedure since then. ance of power between thetbeir way through a makeshift The real question is the baJ..At a press conference TuesdayJack30n said he haS al· appointive power, the council Tara to Page tA, Cehuna fAlter lengthy debate on theIready begun his search for thenine people and 19 asking cityeotmCilmen to recommendqualified people lrom theirdistricts.He hopes to have the namesready for a Friday committeemeeting am for a final voteon April 15, Jackson said.He plans to select six boardmembers from the namd submiuedby auK:11, saving the\old AJdcrmanie Zoning Com- Tuesday, April 2, 1974 C~r -«Hanta :Journal 9.AZONING POWER"I -~-*-~ want to stay as far from council mee~. final vote put ~ un In~Continued fl'1lm Page lA one-man government,"he zoningmayor and COWIciI, she"It's""''''.as nothq:: I possibly but can. trouble. If a He proposal succeeded from in Councilman amending L_M._argued.Councilman James Bond you try to do right you're ac· :RIchard Gulhman, turning theargued against the Bradley cused 01 wrongdoing and appointing po'wer from theCouncilmen who agree with amendment, saying the mayor being a crook," Pierce said. council to the mayor.her philosophy had told her had the power 10 make the The Bradley amendmentIBut Guthman, irritated bythey would vote against her equivalent appointments fell 00 an 11-6 vote. The final the e1eventh-OOur tactics asamendment for racial reasons WIder the old city charter. wte to approve the pro-mayor much as the changes. KOt theor because of a fear of counci I men appointing "chainHis opponents have misled version was 12·5.the public on this and other The new city charter named 'gang members" to the board,issues, Bood chargEd. the Zoning Review Board asshe """"".Courritman Q. v. Wimam- the body which will ~ld pubsonargued that the council 1 i c hearings on zonmg re­"We're going to become arubber stamp," warned C0uncilmanOwies Helms. ters.pointments was left to theshould stick to legislative mat· quests. But !be question of ap­'lbe zonine deciSon is possibly"the formal beginning of mayor wouJd be getmg COIl- the first to serve under theTo the 8rg1.mlent that the present council and mayor,the degmention of the City trol over both plaming and strong-mayor system in theCouncil into a minor appendageof city govemment," be that the CXIUnCil can amend Jackson had made no ptillicmning, Williamson responded new charter.lsaid.plans submitted by the mayor mention of his desires untilHe has faith in the abilities and can override his vetoes. two weeks ago, when he _of the present mayor, HelmsI said. "What I'm against isCouncilman Hllgh Pierce began buttoMoling counctlsaidbe was a member ol the men a few hours before aIuk"New City Study'Pro' South Sit, •For 1-75MARTAStation•.. Y;.m;;_;;·~·==F~;d~ ~~~~~;:~;E--..-1 .....--ida~-ojm""'", _..."'_&MI....................... ,..... "'1 Nt.- ..." bIbIn'~c-.""••••, It f •-....... .....Buckhead OpensFirst Minipark~ ,- !.......... _