GROSSE POINTE WOODS — To paraphrase a colloquial expression: What’s in a title? Lots, because it seems, within the case of a proposal earlier than Grosse Pointe Woods voters in November.
If a constitution change is authorised by voters, Grosse Pointe Woods’ metropolis supervisor could be renamed metropolis supervisor.
Woods officers say the town supervisor already performs the capabilities of metropolis supervisor, though the town constitution nonetheless refers back to the place as the previous. If the voter approves the constitution change, all references within the constitution would change from metropolis supervisor to metropolis supervisor.
“It will likely be in step with the way in which we function and the way in which all different Grosse Pointes function,” Mayor Arthur Bryant mentioned.
All different Grosse Pointes, Harper Woods, St. Clair Shores and plenty of different cities in Michigan are ruled by a metropolis supervisor, who’s appointed to this place by the Metropolis Council.
The change would be a part of two constitution modification poll proposals authorised by Woods voters in November 2021 that positioned the town supervisor and treasurer beneath the supervision of the town supervisor. Beforehand, the clerk, treasurer, and metropolis supervisor have been all beneath the supervision of the town council and may very well be employed or fired on the council’s discretion. As a result of Woods’ council and mayor aren’t full-time metropolis staff, officers mentioned this was a problem as a result of they might not be current for the day-to-day administration of Metropolis Corridor operations.
Bryant mentioned on the time that the state wouldn’t enable the Woods to vary “metropolis supervisor” to “metropolis supervisor” in its constitution.
Bruce Smith served as Woods’ metropolis supervisor in November 2021 and expressed help for the constitution modifications on the time. Likewise, his successor, present metropolis supervisor Frank Schulte, believes this constitution change is sensible.
“After reorganizing the construction of Grosse Pointe Woods, the three impartial departments – administration, finance and the town clerk’s workplace – now report back to the town supervisor,” Schulte mentioned by e-mail. “It might be applicable to vary the title to ‘Metropolis Supervisor’ to align with these new duties and preserve consistency with titles utilized in surrounding communities.”
Bryant expressed help for the constitution change.
“The poll proposal completely should move,” Bryant mentioned. “It can put issues in the correct order they need to be in.”
The extra substantial modifications already occurred when voters authorised the earlier constitution modifications in 2021. That is largely a change in wording.
