Charter review

Called for ending the Flock contract, citing data-sharing with ICE, and urged passage of the charter review commission law with an inclusive process.

Ward 1 resident and former IDA member strongly supports the charter review, saying the city manager structure concentrates too much power in unelected hands.

Democratic Committee chair voiced strong support and recited a long list of residents who previously testified for charter review.

Supports the commission but wants informed, balanced members who understand Newburgh's history, including urban renewal; notes ward-boundary reviews haven't happened on schedule.

Argues review is a healthy, normal practice — like budget audits — and supports making charter review a regular event.

Ward 1 lifelong resident supports the review, citing modernization arguments from a Bloomberg Philanthropies article about updating city government tools.

Ten-year resident supports the review, citing his Yonkers experience and the need for clear accountability under a strong-mayor debate.

Historical Society president and two-year resident supports a full charter review so the city isn't left behind neighboring cities.

Supports looking forward, not backward; wants clearer lines of authority so simple projects like playground improvements don't take years.

Arts Commission chair says recent procedural gaps — including commission appointments made without the commission's input — show why charter review matters.

Architect and Newburgh Tools founder supports a more transparent government with an elected council holding more authority.

Says low voter turnout reflects residents' belief that elected officials can't change anything — charter review would give electeds real power.

Supports the review but warns it must be an honest assessment, not manipulation for other agendas.

Newer resident who loves the city urged the council to review the charter so future generations inherit a stronger community.

Supports the law; cited his essay series finding urban renewal displacement was ~50% higher under the city manager system.

First Street resident says a review commission is essential amid eroding public trust — the current government structure hasn't changed since 1915.

Ward 1 woman opposed the charter review, saying her community wasn't informed, no one speaking looked like her, and affordable housing matters more.

Supports the commission — but only one without a presupposed agenda, serving all residents regardless of politics.

Ward 4 resident added his voice in support of reviewing the charter.

Neutral — says most neighbors she surveyed don't know what a charter is and the city must do better public education first.

Ward 3 resident spoke for himself and constituents who couldn't attend, supporting the charter review commission.

Ward 1 resident supports the idea but criticizes the rushed process and questions whether a new commission would truly represent low-income residents.

Lifelong Ward 1 resident strongly supports the review, citing suppressed information, the privatized waterfront, and the legacy of Mayor Audrey Carey's unfulfilled request.

Montgomery Street resident recalls the last charter review's inclusive process — it created the mixed ward system — and urges a thoughtful new one, noting ten city managers in 20 years signals a broken system.

Supports the review but wants teeth added: multiple public meetings, a real budget, and clarity about what problems the reform is meant to solve.

Praised the work session's collegial charter discussion and urged passage of the local law creating a charter review commission.

Raised red flags about the developer's 32-year PILOT request and urged the council to examine the tax credit numbers; endorsed charter review with the right commissioners.

Supported the charter review local law and raised the alarm that the Dutch Reformed Church doors are unlocked and cellar plywood pulled, urging re-securing.

Rejected the 'special interest' label, cited 231 petition signatures, and urged the council to appoint a charter review commission.

Urged prompt appointment of an independent charter review commission, calling it the most transparent and democratic option.

Supported a local law forming a charter review commission and urged that the interim city manager have proven experience rather than a new appointee.

Argued review is a neutral good-governance practice that every organization should undertake regularly.

A Newburgh trustee for an organization supporting the city, he backed the ICE resolution and a charter review grant for transparency of the debate.

Supported the ICE resolution for the trust it builds, and asked the council to place a citizen-led charter review commission on the next work session agenda.

Asked the council to adopt a resolution forming a charter review commission with independent counsel, citing successful reviews in Middletown, Kingston, and Beacon.

First Street resident thanked the council for acting on the ICE resolution, opposed Clearview AI, and asked for a special commission to review the city charter with voter decision in November.

Ward 1 resident supported Resolution 46, questioned how Clearview reached the agenda, and backed a charter review commission without getting bogged down in petition mechanics.

Grand Street resident opposed ICE cooperation and Clearview, supported charter review, and advocated tenant opportunity to purchase if the Kensington complex receivership is granted.

Business owner strongly supported a charter review for transparent modern government, said her company lost employees to ICE-related fear on the commuter rail, and opposed Clearview AI.

Ward 1 pastor opposed facial recognition and suggested redirecting funds to red light cameras; supported charter review done properly; asked for a Kenny Apartments update and offered her Broadway space for prayer.

Echoed ICE concerns and clarified his earlier charter review remarks, asking the council to add a charter review discussion to the next agenda; also asked council to mind its tone with frustrated residents.

Heights resident asked the council to create an independent, resident-led charter review commission.

First Street resident asked for three agenda items: the ICE resolution, a charter review committee, and restoring Zoom streaming of board meetings.

Ward 1 resident linked the Kenny crisis, Wharton Heights fines, and the upcoming city manager vacancy to structural problems, asking for a citizen-led charter review commission on the next work session agenda.

City of Montgomery resident celebrated civic engagement and Women's History Month, and urged charter review so the council is not constrained by outdated language.

Argued the city manager charter blocked McLymore from directing corporation counsel to act at the Kenny's; asked the council to defer the PILOT vote, study cooperative conversion, and support tenant ownership.

Agreed on charter review and the ICE resolution, expressed disappointment at ongoing heat and hot water complaints, and honored Audrey Carey, Newburgh's first Black female mayor.

Former city employee said charter review is critical for responsiveness, transparency, and legal compliance, and asked the council to act.

Said Newburgh's governmental structure is unchanged since 1919 and asked the council to create an independent, resident-led charter review commission.

Argued the 1919 council-manager charter skews accountability and called for a public, inclusive, urgent charter review commission.

Said the council cannot directly help residents because of the charter structure, urged a public commission to review the 1919 charter, and announced a change-of-government petition launched that evening.

Read the opening of his essay, noted charter review takes four votes to reach the ballot, and asked the council to let voters decide; announced his new blog Newburgh Is America.