by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The education continued for the Charter Revision Commission Thursday as it hosted the first General Counsel of the consolidated City of Jacksonville Tuesday, but with that education it also received a review of current events.
Retired Circuit Court Judge William Durden served as the first General Counsel for the City of Jacksonville under consolidated government and was responsible for developing legal opinions that help create some of the framework of local government that the commission is currently tasked with reviewing.
“The purpose of consolidated government was to reduce the duplication of services,” said Durden, a resident of Jacksonville since 1921. “I think (the charter) was a magnificent work.”
While the document may receive high praise from Durden, he admitted it is only as strong as the people behind it.
“Government can be put in form, structure and power assignments,” said Durden, “but it still ends up being the people that run it that matter.”
Although a staunch supporter of consolidated government, there was one issue that didn’t sit well with the way government is currently run.
“The only thing that makes me mad about the current General Counsel is that my salary was $28,500,” said Durden, jokingly. “and his is over $200,000, and he ain’t worth no more than I was.”
After speaking about the evolution of consolidated government, Durden took questions from the commission and was asked about some of the presentations that have appeared before the commission.
“We had a presentation suggesting the creation of a metro police department,” said Gary Oliveras, a member of the commission. “Shifting some of the responsibilities from the sheriff to an appointed police chief. I would like to have your thoughts on that.”
Durden held the line on not duplicating city services already in place.
“Law enforcement is a very important aspect of local government, and, again, the form isn’t as important as the person who does it,” said Durden. “If I were to compare elected sheriffs to city police departments, I would have to tell you that elected sheriffs do a better job.”
The Charter Revision Commission will meet Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. at City Hall.
356-2466