I have often shaken my head when Huether suggests this. They are not the same, for several reasons.
To my surprise I found this page in a booklet I was reading from the SD Association of County Commissioners. The booklet is called ‘So You Want to Be A County Commissioner’.
I thought the one page was very concise in explaining the differences.
The middle part that I highlighted actually intrigued me the most. While they are referencing County Government, I think Municipal Government would apply. Notice ‘Sharing decisions’, ‘Public involvement’ and ‘Public Eye’.
Huether prefers to run the city like a business because he doesn’t like to share the ball with the city legislators, the council, or the general public. He acts as the CEO of the city instead of a fellow lawmaker.
I want to remind Mike, once again, that government and business ARE not alike.
MMM borrows his best ideas for governance from George W. Bush, quite often.
A good example of a “product line” that can’t be discontinued is the paratransit services that were recently cut back.
I don’t think an economics major works for mayor when people skills and ‘Government for Dummies’ is a better outline.