Opolis: Town Hall IC

[White Bluff]

Vivian pushed both of the double doors open and began walking down the center row of the room, her head high, the bright red ringlets of her hair bouncing as she made her way to her seat, heels clicking with each step, "Sorry I'm late, the traffic is terrible." She sat, "I can see I haven't missed much though," she gave a slight smirk, "but I get the sense that we already at a road block, as we are in that position I shall put my idea on the table." She shifts a bit in the chair, "with the government anyways I believe that we should include the people in the mayoral election, however, not just anyone should be able to run, I think they should put only members of this legislative body should be on the ballot. Then the whole city votes on who they want as mayor, and whosoever wins gets to name who they wish to whatever department of government. As an example, if I were to win I could name Vienna Eliot as Director of Agriculture if I wanted." Her emerald green eyes scam the group as she finishes her monologue.

[Adab]

"Alright, just to make this clear," Fergal cleared his throat, "are you proposing that only members of this body may stand for the mayoralty, but the whole city gets to vote between the available choices? Aye, I believe that's actually a good idea. It'll help to have a mayor who is elected by the people, capable of commanding the confidence of this body, and indeed understands how the government works."

[Zjaum]

"Sounds like a pseudo-oligarchy to me," stated Egilson bluntly as he twirled his pen. "While my parents would probably appreciate it, I am opposed. Generally, the skills required to negotiate and represent small communities is not the same set for making wholesale decisions or, starker still, straight-up choosing how or by whom city-wide departments are run. We haven't yet separated the powers of the mayoral from the powers of the council, and so I fear that we might make a position unbefitting any of us here. This proposition smacks of unilateral self-empowerment and self-appointment, which I'm sure will bode well with our constituents. I speak sarcastically, of course. Worst of all, if the position becomes wholly undesirable, we would have practically no one to run.

"Regardless, I do want to see this voted on, if only to shoot it down. So, while the delegation from Cherry Hill was speaking, I turned it into a more formal format. Currently passing it to the Speaker, along with my own proposition. Please feel free to amend or change at your prerogative."

---

Title

Sponsor:
Co-Sponsors:
Signatories: Ernest Everett, Zjaum;
Understanding the need for leadership for the city of Respite,
Acknowledging the disadvantages of a body controlling affairs as opposed to an individual,
Fearing the power of an uninformed pool of candidates,
Decrees the following.

---

Section 1: Definitions

Term- Mayor: head of district affairs, representative of Respite in formal matters, and appointee of the respective heads of important city functions.
Term- Department: Organization owned and operated by the city in order to manage a public utility, event, or network.

Section 2:

The mayor will be given power to appoint individuals to manage the entirety of individual Departments.

Section 3:

Candidacy for mayor is exclusive to representatives from the neighborhood council. Candidates will be elected by a popular single-transferrable vote system.

((Making this on my lunch break; my proposal will be up soon.))

[Kazarogkai]

Solomon Amon Day
Old Town Hall building

Well I might as well start getting involved atleast they are talking about something relevant

And so Solomon made his way forward and asked rather simply "If I may Ill take the stand for just a moment"

And so Solomon did placing himself roughly near the central most location of the building looking out at the small crowd before. And so here he was, ready to shine a even for just a little. He spoke in a rather simply and direct manner.

"As of now we the members of this chamber are delegates. Representatives of are individual neighborhoods chosen by the people within and delegated with the authority to bear witness in this body for what may potentially be the creation of something new from the ashes of the old. And so to the exalted delegates of the assembly whether you come from somewhere in the urban center or out in the rural outskirts are mission is the same are role is the same. Despite this from what I have been hearing you act as if you are more than that that you are above that of a simple delegate and are instead a true legislative body endowed with authority as a whole by the people of this city enshrined within a constitution. But you are not a legislative body, you are deliberative body, you are not enshrined with the power granted by the people framed within a constitution, you haven't even bothered to create one or see that it be approved. Instead you have waste your time bitching and moaning like children over a name. And so as a member of this body I will do with what power I do have to help bring this train back on the proper tracks before crashes and burns and turns into a smoking ruin and drags me and my own down with it."

Coming down from the steps one of Solomon's Compatriots walks towards him and hands him a set of papers while simultaneously the remaining ten members of Solomon's entourage begin passing out papers to the other delegates.

"And so I present to the assembled body before the proposal drawn up by me and mine prior to are trek to here. Though yes it is not perfect and yes I do understand that it is a bit incomplete still the overall basics are there. My proposal overall for the Charter of this Unified City is more or less a mirror of that of the New Jersey plan that was put forward during the creation of the United States Constitution. In general the structure is that of a confederation of are United Neighborhoods bound in oaths of defense, common foreign policy and trade with this bodies primary duty being that of coordinating body whose purpose is to unite us in times of need when necessary. My people have generally speaking done well on are own for the most part and as such generally speaking lack much interest in that of a stronger union with the likes of others outside are bounds being able to impose upon us at will. As such that will be a primary directive behind this charter. The maintaining of the Independence of the individual neighborhoods. Unto Structure:

The legislative, which shall henceforth be called the Senate, and by far the most important of the branches shall overall function in a manner reminiscent of that of a parliament minus a king of course. The Senate will be a unicameral body from where representation is based on dwelling whose powers will consist of: the ability to make laws related towards a foreign nature, draft domestic laws, settle disputes and coordinate resources between individual neighborhoods, enforce the law via the executive Small Council, call for national referendums to change the constitution, and finally those that are delegated to it by the individual neighborhoods. Neighborhoods shall have a delegation of representatives whose size is and selection is up to their discretion but who at the minimum must number approximately 2. Each neighborhood regardless of size shall receive 1 vote with the members of their delegation voting en block rather than as individuals similar to the Iroquois confederacy of old. Heading this body will be what will be known as the Speaker who shall in a sense function doubly in the role of Prime Minister of the executive. This will be an office chosen via appointment from the aforementioned body by all members and will be responsible to them as a whole being aloud to rule so long as they maintain the confidence of the Senate which shall be regularly tested every 6 months. In terms of law making when it comes to those of a foreign nature they require only a simple majority in order to bring it fourth. In contrast for domestic laws they may only raft them, with a simple majority, in order to bring it about though they require ratification from the neighborhoods themselves. The way it will work is when a domestic law has been drafted the draft will go before the individual neighborhoods who shall have the power to ratify the law within their own legislative bodies. When a neighborhood decides to ratify it becomes a law within their lands and from that point onward they are required to enforce via their courts. Once a strong majority of 3/4 of all neighborhoods decide to ratify said draft it becomes apart of what will be termed the All Law which all neighborhoods must follow at that point it is the duty of the Senate to enforce said law with all persons required to follow. In such way a the 51% will not be able to railroad and potentially enslave the remaining 49% and with it maintaining of the Independence of all.

In terms of executive power, that shall rest within what will be termed the Small Council consisting of the Speaker as mentioned before alongside various executive directors heading individual offices charged with handling different aspects of the legislative agenda like say Defense, or Foreign Trade, etc. They shall be chosen individually again via appointment by the Senate and responsible to said body being required to face confidence votes every 6 months. This is done in such a way as to prevent the creation of any sort of imperial presidency or other autocratic central offices and with it the corruption and tyranny that follows. As seen time and time again in the world before, the executive is by far the most prone to corruption and tyranny and hence must be kept in check at all times.

Finally The Judicial branch shall consist of various Supreme Courts alongside smaller courts handling and heading individual aspects of the law which shall be set forth via the creation of various law codes by the legislative and having the power to interpret the law in their manner. They shall consist of the following: Criminal, Civil, Military, and finally a Constitutional Court at the minimum. The first 3 shall shall in their role function as courts of last resort for those violating the laws of the land in contrast the final will function as a check on the legislative branch and have the power to interpret the constitution as needed and having the power to when needed to engage in a review and veto laws created by said legislative. They shall as such consist of 12 members each chosen via sortition from qualified applicants so as to prevent the politicization and corruption of this branch of government and to hopefully maintain their independence. Any decision they make as such is required to be unanimous."

Clearing his throat

"As of now that Is more or less what I have formulated thus far hopefully this shall in conjunction be paired with that of a bill of rights whose purpose is to protect the rights and privileges members of this city have come to expect and are entitled too. With that I leave this body to allow it to deliberate on this manner with hopes it comes to the right conclusions."

Solomon took a bow and left heading back to his entourage in the back of the panel.

Draft for a Charter of the City

Chapter 1: The Legislature
1. Will describe the National Parliament known as the Senate which shall exercise the power to make and execute the law.
2. Shall be a unicameral body composed of approximately variable number of members serving terms of 1 year consequetiely
3. Reserves the right to impeach members of the Judiciary and executive
4. Will have the power to create and enforce laws of a foreign nature and the power to draft and upon full Ratification enforce laws of a domestic nature

Chapter 2: Judiciary Power
1. Shall be composed of members chosen for meritorious service and for their knowledge and skill in the law with the power to ultimately interpret the law.
2. The judiciary shall be independent and subject only to their conscience and the law.
3. Divided into 3 types:
- Supreme: composed of the highest courts of last resort within their respective aspect of the law. Criminal, Civil, Familial, Commercial, Military law.
- Constitutional: Shall have the power ow judicial review and veto of any statues passed by the national parliament and those below.
- General: Functions as Courts of first resort
- Appellate: Powers to see and try appeals from the General Courts
4. Shall reserve the right to impeach members of the Legislature/Executive.

Chapter 3: Executive
1. Will describe the powers and responsibilities of the executive office of the central government known as the Small Council
2. Shall be bound by and responsible to the Senate with individual members facing confidence votes every 6 months
3. Shall serve at the pleasure of the Senate
4. Will consist of a Speaker who head the Senate itself, and Directors who head the various executive offices created henceforth by the Senate.

Chapter 4: Freedoms and Duties of Citizenship
1. Shall set forth the rights duties of that are conferred by citizenship whether political, economic, judicial, or personal.
2. Shall set forth the process of Naturalization.

Chapter 5: The Creation of a Code of Statutory Law
1. Gives the National Parliament the right to make a code of law and overall the structure of said code.

Chapter 6: National Defense
1. An overall extrapolation of the overall structure of the military forces and what is their individual members collective duties towards the nation.

Chapter 7: Amendments and Their Creation
1. As should be obvious will be the depository of further amendments made at a later date to said document
2. Will make mention of the creation of said amendments and how they will be brought about.

[Vienna Eliot]

"We currently have two proposals. We will debate and vote first on the proposal from Mr. Everett of Flatgorge. Thirty minutes."

---

Title

Sponsor:
Co-Sponsors:
Signatories: Ernest Everett, Zjaum;
Understanding the need for leadership for the city of Respite,
Acknowledging the disadvantages of a body controlling affairs as opposed to an individual,
Fearing the power of an uninformed pool of candidates,
Decrees the following.

---

Section 1: Definitions

Term- Mayor: head of district affairs, representative of Respite in formal matters, and appointee of the respective heads of important city functions.
Term- Department: Organization owned and operated by the city in order to manage a public utility, event, or network.

Section 2:

The mayor will be given power to appoint individuals to manage the entirety of individual Departments.

Section 3:

Candidacy for mayor is exclusive to representatives from the neighborhood council. Candidates will be elected by a popular single-transferrable vote system.

[OOC: 24 hours of debate and voting commence now. You must vote by the end of the 24 hours for your vote to count.]

[Zjaum]

Ernest stood up. "This puts me in a mildly awkward position, where I must attempt to kill my own legislative child, one that my parents would readily grandfather. I cannot imagine a city department head dependent on none but the mayor to bode well, nor can I conceive that a that man, with a hand in every Respite organization, could resist the lure of self-indulgence and corruption. The beacon of power draws only the idealist and the corrupt, not befitting of honest neighborhood men and women such as ourselves. If my gauge of this congress is off, I'd rather know about it immediately. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, after all. Ergo, this vote."

[White Bluff]

Vivian smiled, "I vote aye on this proposal and will officially sponsor it if need be," she keeps her smile, "as it was originally my idea, and i would like to ask Mr.Fergal to be my co-sponsor in this venture. However, anyone can and may also co-sponsor with him." She gives Fergal a head nod, "and I mean if the populace didn't want us running things then they would not have voted us to our positions in the first place. Therefore we are helping the populace by only presenting them with candidates that know and will work with this body, along with the fact that we know how to run a city, obviously." She sits back down and waits for their responses.

[Bruke]

Donald Gilchrist spoke up. "While Everett's proposal is a good starting point, we must make sure that the Department heads are qualified for their positions. Don't want to have cronyism, after all. I suggest adding a line to Section 2 saying that the Mayor's appointments would be subject to approval by the neighborhood council."

[Alozia]

Joseph rose to speak clearly agitated. "The proposal under debate is, frankly, attrocious. What we see is nothing short of a shameless aristocratic dictatorship. Instead of promoting a democratic and open town the individual behind this awfulness treats our citizens not as people, but as complete and absolute idiots who are to stupid to have any level of awareness in political affairs. I, unlike the person behind this proposal, wish to be able to look my neighbour in the eye. I will not sit idly by when the people of this town are insulted and robbed of their political rights. What we see is not a Magnum Opus of a great statesman, but a fanatical work of a wanna-be dictator. I urge all of the sane members of this assembly to follow my lead and vote AGAINST this proposal and those who vote for it be damned to hell for eternity!"

[Zjaum]

"To the delegate of Cherry Hill, I must state that a large swath of us, myself included, were chosen, perhaps elected, from a small group of people. That, or we simply rose to the position with no one to challenge us. The nature of our respective appointments is far different because our constituents know that we as representatives understand the neighborhoods we represent, or at least can be struck down by our peers if we stray out of hand. The mayorship is the keys to the city. I agree with the honorable councilman from Acreborough. Nay, nay, and thrice nay!"

[The United Artherian Federation]

Ethan would rise, simply say “Nay”, sit back down, and pass a note to Solomon Day.

[Adab]

Vivian smiled, "I vote aye on this proposal and will officially sponsor it if need be," she keeps her smile, "as it was originally my idea, and i would like to ask Mr.Fergal to be my co-sponsor in this venture. However, anyone can and may also co-sponsor with him." She gives Fergal a head nod, "and I mean if the populace didn't want us running things then they would not have voted us to our positions in the first place. Therefore we are helping the populace by only presenting them with candidates that know and will work with this body, along with the fact that we know how to run a city, obviously." She sits back down and waits for their responses.

"Co-sponsor, ya say? I accept the challenge," Fergal smiled, his eyes dancing across the hall, scanning his fellow delegates, "which, of course, means that I vote aye, aye, and aye! on this proposal. Furthermore, I'd like to assure the honorable delegate from Acreborough - you're from Acreborough, aren't ya? - that he is very much exaggerating and that there is nothing in this proposal that establishes some sort of a, in your words, 'shameless aristocratic dictatorship'. This proposal, in fact, allows the people to choose from those candidates who have had political and legislative experience and are thus able and actually willing to represent them. Indeed, sir, with all due respect, I believe it is you who are treating our citizens are too stupid to have any awareness in political affairs. If they do not wish for a particular person to represent them, then they will not vote him into this hall, let alone into the mayoralty. There is no... robbery of political rights or the work of a dictator here. This is the work of the people through their representatives. This is democracy."

[Alozia]

"Sir, if I may." Joseph rose to give a passionate rebuttal of a speech given by the Representative from Fergaland "I would just like to say that if mental gymnastics was an olympic sport you would win a gold medal every olympics from the day of your debut at the games to the day you die. Frankly, what you said was deeply and utterly delusional! You think that showing up today makes you an experienced political figure, when in fact, you're nothing more than an over-glorified plantation owner with a dream of running a town, this town, just like you and your family have run your land - not as as a shared good of all of it's people, but as a personal fiefdom! And let's not forget that folks like you are here not because they earned the respect of their neighbours, but because you try to own everyone under your jurisdiction! If people have awareness in political affairs, and make no mistake - they do - then they should enjoy the political rights all of us, here assembled, have! It's not me who has problem with respecting and understanding the people of this city! It's you, sir, sitting on your high horse looking down at the other folk of this town, thinking of them not as intelligent people and responsible citizens, but as stupid peasants! You're right about one thing! The people will not vote for a particular person for mayor if they not wish for them to be mayor! That's the most basic of basic truths there is in, at least in a democratic society! Do you honestly think you were being deep with that remark? I'm sorry to say that you weren't! The ignorance and arrogance presented today by you and your kind is frankly baffling! Especially that I'm being lectured about how supposedly no one is trying to install an aristocratic dictatorship by a modern day aristocratic dictator! How dare you! Have you no shame!?"

[Vienna Eliot]

When the debate exhausted, Vienna called for the ayes and the noes.

"Okay, sounds like the noes have it. This will not be added to our charter. Next up for debate and vote is Mr. Day's proposal."

Draft for a Charter of the City

Chapter 1: The Legislature
1. Will describe the National Parliament known as the Senate which shall exercise the power to make and execute the law.
2. Shall be a unicameral body composed of approximately variable number of members serving terms of 1 year consequetiely
3. Reserves the right to impeach members of the Judiciary and executive
4. Will have the power to create and enforce laws of a foreign nature and the power to draft and upon full Ratification enforce laws of a domestic nature

Chapter 2: Judiciary Power
1. Shall be composed of members chosen for meritorious service and for their knowledge and skill in the law with the power to ultimately interpret the law.
2. The judiciary shall be independent and subject only to their conscience and the law.
3. Divided into 3 types:
- Supreme: composed of the highest courts of last resort within their respective aspect of the law. Criminal, Civil, Familial, Commercial, Military law.
- Constitutional: Shall have the power ow judicial review and veto of any statues passed by the national parliament and those below.
- General: Functions as Courts of first resort
- Appellate: Powers to see and try appeals from the General Courts
4. Shall reserve the right to impeach members of the Legislature/Executive.

Chapter 3: Executive
1. Will describe the powers and responsibilities of the executive office of the central government known as the Small Council
2. Shall be bound by and responsible to the Senate with individual members facing confidence votes every 6 months
3. Shall serve at the pleasure of the Senate
4. Will consist of a Speaker who head the Senate itself, and Directors who head the various executive offices created henceforth by the Senate.

Chapter 4: Freedoms and Duties of Citizenship
1. Shall set forth the rights duties of that are conferred by citizenship whether political, economic, judicial, or personal.
2. Shall set forth the process of Naturalization.

Chapter 5: The Creation of a Code of Statutory Law
1. Gives the National Parliament the right to make a code of law and overall the structure of said code.

Chapter 6: National Defense
1. An overall extrapolation of the overall structure of the military forces and what is their individual members collective duties towards the nation.

Chapter 7: Amendments and Their Creation
1. As should be obvious will be the depository of further amendments made at a later date to said document
2. Will make mention of the creation of said amendments and how they will be brought about.

[OOC: 24 hours debate and voting.]

[Bruke]

"I vote nay. Mister Day's proposal seems more to be a constitution for a nation instead of a city charter. I do not think Respite is in any condition to become some sort of city-state."

[The United Artherian Federation]

“Nay.” -Himeler

[Alozia]

"Nay" Joseph voted against the proposal without as much fanfare as he did with the previous one.

[Zjaum]

I’d appreciate a more well-founded establishment of our government,” stated Everett. “Without further changes and input, nay.”

[Van Hool Islands]

"Nay." - V. Garrett

[White Bluff]

"Nay," Vivian quickly snipped

[Adab]

"Nay, this proposal is more suited for a nation than a city like ours," Fergal roared, banging his cane against the floor repeatedly.

[The Miaphysite Church of Coptic Archism]

"Nay."

[Vienna Eliot]

Vienna got a note at the front, then announced to the room—

"The author has requested this proposal be withdrawn. It was not meant for a vote. Discussion may resume on all topics pertinent to drafting a charter or portions thereof."

[The Miaphysite Church of Coptic Archism]

Wyatt cleared his throat. "Look y'all, we don't need something complicated. We certainly don't need something undemocratic. What we need is a municipal government to handle our issues. I was hoping we'd have something a little better proposed, but a few of us down at the plant had drafted this up just in case..." Wyatt scribbles a few changes onto the paper before handing it up to the podium.

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Municipal Charter of Respite

We the people of Respite, to enshrine a sensible union of our divided neighborhoods, provide for the needs of the people of our city, fulfill the responsibilities of a government to it's citizens, and to secure liberty and prosperity, establish this Charter for the City of Respite.

Signatories:

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Section 1: Legislative

1. The Legislative Body of the City of Respite shall be the unicameral Hall of Representatives.
2. This hall shall be made up of individuals elected to represent recognized neighborhoods at large as constituencies, every year, using an STV ballot system.
3. The Hall of Representatives is responsible for it's internal proceedings, and may determine it's own standing rules and other processes.
4. The Hall of Representatives shall have exclusive right to draft and pass legislation into law.

Section 2: Executive

1. The Executive of the City of Respite shall be the City Council, headed by a Mayor.
2. The Mayor, elected by the city at large every year by STV ballot, shall draft a proposal City Council on their election to fulfill executive portfolios. The Hall of Representatives may then accept the Council, or with a simple majority can exercise a veto on the proposal, in which case the Mayor is expected to draft a new proposal.
3. Members of the City Council may exercise all executive authority over portfolios assigned to them, except in cases restricted by legislation passed by the Hall of Representatives.

Section 3: Judiciary

1. An independent commission of three members, the Judiciary Recognition Commission, shall be elected each year and shall be responsible for administrating the recognition and registration of adequately skilled practitioners of law.
2. Court vacancies shall be offered, by random lot, to members of this registry of meritorious lawyers.
3. There shall be three courts of law in the Judiciary of Respite. They shall be as follows, in ascending order of their precedence of rulings:
   3a. Small Court; first resort for cases involving monetary value of less than $5,000, or other minor legal disputes.
   3b. General Court; first resort for cases that are not handled in Small Court.
   3c. Supreme Court; last resort for cases not otherwise settled. Only court with the right to make rulings on constitutionality and other matters of the legality of legislation or executive actions.

Section 4: Amendments

1. Amendments to this charter may be proposed and voted on like normal legislation in the Hall of Representatives.
2. Should a charter amendment pass the Hall of Representatives, it will be put to public referendum.
3. On the success of a referendum on amending the charter, the amendment is considered made.

[Adab]

"Now that's something I can get behind," Fergal commented from his seat. "Of course, should this proposal be put to the vote I shall say aye to it."