Charter Amendments

Opposed all three charter amendments, saying more councilors could consolidate power at City Hall and that added appointment scrutiny could discourage volunteers.

Opposed all three amendments, repeatedly asking what problem they solve, what evidence supports them, how success would be measured, and what the total cost would be.

Supported all three amendments, arguing they would improve accountability, transparency, effectiveness, and Council capacity.

A former Newcastle, WA councilmember argued Astoria's five-member council is efficient and warned that seven members would make meetings considerably longer.

Argued the council abandoned its work-plan process for a citizen committee, said the changes go far beyond housekeeping, and asked the council to vote no for now and engage the public first.

Supported sending the charter proposals to a citywide vote, saying all voters should decide rather than a committee or a handful of commenters.

Asked why the council dropped the ad hoc committee from its own approved work plan.

Said the charter changes are being rubber-stamped while public attention is on the camping policy, and urged more citizen involvement under Statewide Planning Goal 1.

Criticized the council for holding no town halls or two-way dialogue and said the process is biased and predetermined.