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Political Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by briandjones127
Running head: MINI PROJECT
1
Unit V Mini Project
Brian Jones
Columbia Southern University
MINI PROJECT
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Type of Local Government
Since the island is small, comparatively speaking, I would install a county government.
To be even more specific, I would go with a rural county government. With a smaller population
on the island, I feel that the inhabitants would be like-minded and close knit. A rural county
government would allow the citizens to be more in touch with the happenings and events on the
island, this includes what is going on in the local political scene. Surveys have shown that
citizens living in a rural, county-based community feel more connected to their neighbors as well
as local politics (Dye & Macmanus, 2015).
This type of government will have a learning curve, much like any other form of
government. However, given the smaller group of citizens, the curve will not be nearly as steep
as it is for larger areas. I also feel that as time goes on, the citizens will be able to make more
informed decisions on who they should vote for in subsequent elections as they will know those
running for the various offices on a more personal level.
Form of Local Government
For this phase of the governmental set-up, I would choose to go with a township. I feel
that with the township form of government, the community will have more freedom to govern
itself as it sees fit. While this freedom is not unlimited, I feel that it offers the most flexibility. I
also feel that with a limited population, the township is the best fit. One of the biggest pluses to
the township model is that the citizens will meet, deliberate, and vote on the issues at hand. This
is in contrast to a city form of government wherein the elected representatives vote on behalf of
the citizens (nlc.org, 2017).
Management System
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I have chosen to go with the Council-Manager form of management for the island. I feel
that having a larger council, that is elected by the citizens, who will then have the authority to
hire and/or fire a manager is the most efficient. Originally, I was going to pursue the Commission
management system. After further thought on the matter, that system has downfalls that could be
disastrous long-term. If the commission was in agreeance all the time, it would work splendidly.
However, if a deadlock on a vote were to occur, it could become a real problem.
With the council-manager system, the theory is to keep policy and administration
separated. The council will create, and pass policy and it is then the job of the manager to enact
this policy. The only hand the council will have in the administration will be selection and
removal of the manager as needed. Likewise, the manager will have no stake at all in the
policymaking efforts (Dye & Macmanus, 2015).
The main point in this system hinges on the
council selecting someone with the acumen to handle the day to day administration of the
policies they set forth.
The manager will also have the authority to hire/fire personnel to fill key roles within the
local government. There will have to be guidelines established as to the criteria for these
positions to ensure that the manager does not hire someone who is unqualified. The same could
be said for the firing of personnel, a person could not be let go without reason.
Installation of Leadership
During the initial phase of setting the government in place, the first group of leaders (the
council) would be those who have demonstrated leadership and are like-minded to seeing the
island thrive and be successful. This initial period would last for one year. After that year, a
public election would be held to either elect new members or keep members of the council in
place. Subsequent elections would be held every two years unless a special circumstance deemed
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MINI PROJECT
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it necessary to hold an emergency vote (e.g. a death on the council, members stepping down,
etc.). The manager, of course, would be hired by the members of the council.
Law Enforcement
The law enforcement model I would choose is the local police model. Being an island, it
would be easy for the local law enforcement officers to police the small population. While there
may be instances of minor issues to deal with, I can foresee the local officers being mainly used
to uphold the township’s laws and ensure the safety of the citizens. That said, there are always
exceptions. As such, there will also be a jail that is kept and maintained for those who break the
law and as a holding area for those who await an audience with the judge. The head of the police
force, or Chief of Police, would be appointed by the Manager in accordance with that
individual’s experience and qualifications.
Judicial System
As with other members of the local government, the judge position will be appointed by
the Manager. The judge will have to possess a law degree and have experience in presiding over
legal matters. Anyone brought up on charges of any variety will be presumed innocent until
proven guilty. Any trial activity will be presided over by the judge and the accused will be tried
by a jury of his or her peers.
Criminal Rehabilitation
Those who are found guilty of a crime and sentenced to be incarcerated will receive
treatment programs while in jail to, hopefully, help them return to society and be beneficial
members of the community. These programs can include adult education, treatments for drug and
alcohol dependency, and vocational training. Most offenders commit crimes due to various issues
within their personal lives. While it is not an excuse as to why they committed the crimes, it can
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be dealt with. Through rehabilitation, those who have been convicted can see that there is a way
to better their lives without returning to a life of crime.
Cooperating with Other Forms of Government
While the island will maintain a firm amount of control over its own government,
cooperation with various other local, state, and federal governments will be mandatory.
Cooperation is key in forming relationships with other governments at all levels in all forms. For
example, if the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) needed to use a corner of our island for
surveillance purposes, they would be allowed to do so. It would also have to be understood that
the cooperation would be reciprocal and work both ways. Should the need arise wherein we
needed aid from another government and/or agency, they should help us with the same level of
cooperation that we have shown them.
References
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Dye, T. & Macmanus, S. (2015).
Politics in states and communities
. Boston, MA. Pearson
Learning.
NLC.org (2017). Cities 101 – Types of local governments. Retrieved from
https://www.nlc.org/resource/cities-101-types-of-local-governments
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