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June 1956

July 1956

Calendar of Events
Chicago Convention
Mrs. John G. Lee Re-Elected National President
Our Views on City Charter
Jail Committee
Voters' Service Views
Welcome
Did it Slip Your Mind?

Our Views on City Charter

Synthesis of the views formed from the unit discussions of the various branches, officials and functions of city government will be presented briefly at the June membership meeting. From this will come the official League position which we will support in the drafting of a new city charter.

Mrs. Blanche Smith, President, spoke for the League of Women Voters of Hawaii at the first public hearing of the Charter Commission at the City Hall on May 21st. Mrs. Smith gave the position of the local League on the form of local government desired -that of city manager and our statement favoring the short ballot was also expressed.

The Commission had sent questions for discussion to organizations shortly before the meeting. Most organization representatives present reported that they had not received the topics early enough for study by their groups. Topics were:

  1. Form of Government Desired: Commission, "Weak Mayor", "Strong Mayor", "City Manager."

  2. Legislative Body: Size, Elections at Large or by district or combination, Tenure, Over-lapping terms.

  3. Election of City Officials: Partisan or nonpartisan.

  4. Long or Short Ballot.

Representatives from the Kailua and Kaneohe political and civic clubs were strong in their feelings that elections should be by district. Other organizations represented were the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Central Labor Committee.

The Commission promised additional public hearings and said more notice would be given for topics they wished to have discussed for opinion.

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