Charter review commission

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.

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.

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

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

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.