Our View

Our View

Two valid sides to Marion council voting method

There are certainly two valid points of view on the issue brought up by a former Marion city councilwoman who wants the city to now consider doing away with the age-old practice of at-large voting.

We have to admit that after hearing many points of view on the subject there are advantages and disadvantages on both sides but, let us make it vividly clear any attempt to label discrimination to the at-large method is absolutely ridiculous and certainly not worthy of consideration by any stretch of the imagination.

Now that that has been said let’s review what Sherry Holliman’s concerns are on Marion’s at-large voting process. Her argument is that she is of the opinion that at-large voting does discriminate against minorities and says she has an issue with allowing voters in other parts of the city to decide who represents a district they don’t live in.

Oddly enough, and as we understand it, while council members run at-large they do represent a specific district within the city. But, by the same token, there is no, nor has there been evidence of discrimination to suggest such is completely off base.

The fact that while all other incorporated areas throughout Crittenden County, such as West Memphis, Sunset, Earle as well as Hughes, Forest City, Marked Tree, Lepanto and Memphis vote by ward is certainly no indication that Marion’s at-large process suggests wrong doing.

Holliman is of the belief that it is unfair for residents in Ward 1 and 2 to be able to decide who represents Ward 3 even though that elected official has a right to take an active role in their concerns.

Holliman cites the fact there is no representation or diversity of a woman or a person of color on the Marion council and said it’s all white males.

Our response to that is very simple. Holliman shouldn’t blame the system as to why there aren’t more women and “people of color” are serving on the council. Maybe part of the reason is the fact that the candidates who may have run for office failed to convince voters to elect them. Maybe it is a lack of political experience, a lack of campaign resources or many other factors. So, with that said, let’s not automatically assume that because there aren’t any “people of color” or women it is the fault of the city’s at-large voting method.

Mayor Frank Fogleman made a good argument to Holliman’s issue when he pointed out the fact that atlarge voting gives every citizen in Marion equal representation and a city council reflective of every corner of the city.

This issue isn’t anything that hasn’t been brought up in the past and, in all honesty, we have to commend Mayor Fogleman, Councilman David Gibber and even City Attorney James “Jimbo” Hale for being open minded enough to admit there are two valid sides to the issue and are willing to consider possibly changing the way the city votes.

We should think that as receptive as city leaders have been with responding to Holliman’s concerns she would rethink her assessment that the at-large voting method discriminates against minorities. Or, at least be openminded enough to allow Mayor Fogleman and other city officials to fulfill their promise of cooperation on the issue.