Speaking of being answerable to the people . . . .
In the first major move of his administration, Little Rock's new mayor is pushing a study concerning the city's form of government. Frank Scott is right to do it now, in the first 100 days. He just won election with nearly 60 percent of the vote. When will his popularity be any higher? The new mayor shouldn't let this political capital go to waste.
The people of Little Rock have long wanted a stronger mayor, and voted for an ordinance in 2007 to expand the mayor's authority. Frank Scott is in a position to take advantage of that ordinance without the issue of race hanging over the whole debate. It would have been a much harder task for a white mayor to pull city departments from a black city manager. Them's just the facts. It shows that even 60 years after 1957, Little Rock still has The Issue to deal with.
Moving departments to the mayor's control is a good move no matter the perceptions. We believe Mayor Scott is genuine in trying to bring all citizens together and may be uniquely able to do it. The voters also should have one person to credit, or blame, for what's going on in the city. That person should be an elected mayor.
Accountability is important. In city government every bit as much as in the schools.
Editorial on 01/20/2019