By David Bruce
Article XIV section 1 of our bylaws ends with this sentence, “No member may resubmit any amendment within six months of consideration by the board.”
The recent amendment being submitted is basically identical to the one our members voted down except for changing it from two days to a one-day extension. I believe this is in conflict with the bylaws.
Advancing this will set a bad precedent. If this “new” amendment also fails the vote, what would prevent it from being resubmitted once again by simply changing the number to one-half day or even altering a word such as “shall remain open” to “will remain open.”
I understand it is technically different, but it appears to be circumventing the intent and spirit of Article XIV section 1.
If this “new” amendment does pass, I have an issue with possible problems related to the integrity of extended voting.
Along with the perception that it allows members to recruit other voters, how will we know who did and did not vote while attending the meeting in person or on Zoom, and if they decided to wait till the following day to vote?
It would create an atmosphere of suspicion, mistrust and opaqueness to what should be a transparent process.
Locally and nationally we don’t allow extended voting and it works just fine.
David Bruce has lived in Candler Park since 1991 and served as CPNO’s public safety officer and as a board member for several years starting in 2005.