Types of City Government

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City governments are defined with the different shapes that they tend to assume. The type of government that a metropolitan adopts primarily depends on the size of the township, and as a result, larger cities have more representatives that the smaller ones. Also, the bigger the urban area, the more the population it accommodates and hence the need to have representatives to make decisions on behalf of the citizens. Regardless of the type of government, the cities are obligated to remain responsive to its residents. This essay expounds on the different kinds of city governments and outlines explicitly the structure of Houston administration by discussing the role of prominent representatives.

Strong Mayor Type of City Government

This type of organization is at most times employed in bigger US cities whereby it is mandatory for the mayor to have a kind of political background and must also have participated in either state or national administrative activities (Maxwell, William, Ernest, and Adolfo 398). Strong Mayor cities differ in precisely how much power the mayor possesses in comparison to the members of the city council. In general, the strong mayor type of government has a close similarity with the US federal system of government.  The mayor is the head executive personnel of the town, and there is no position of the city manager as demonstrated in the council-manager type of government (Jillson 233). City departments report directly to the office of the mayor.  The city council plays the role of legislators, and their interaction with the mayor is outlined by the local regulations.  Although this system is demonstrated in many of the big cities, there are exceptions whereby the mayor has veto power over decisions and is therefore not involved in the actions of the council officials.

Council-Manager/ Weak Mayor Structure Form of Government

The council-manager is the most common kind of city administrations in the United States. Under this type of government, the legislative arm consists of elected representatives and everyday operations are undertaken by professional administrators (Newell, Charldean, David and James 310). The city council serves as the town’s legislative body by upholding laws and ordinances as stipulated by the state and federal law. The city’s residents (citizens and authorized individuals) elect the council members in accordance with the laid down local and state regulations. In some states, this kind of administration is also known as a Weak Mayor Structure of government since each of the elected members of the council possesses almost equal authority as that of the mayor. Depending on the area law, the mayor can be appointed to the position through the existing council members or be elected directly by the citizens (Jillson 232). The city manager is the public administrator and is entitled to complete the duties of the chief officer of the area as well as provide expertise that most of the newly elected council members are unlikely to possess. The manager also implements the decisions of the council.

Commission Form of City Government

In this kind of administration, the city council plays the role of legislators and also undertakes executive duties of the government. The department heads report to a panel of commissioners rather than to a manager or a mayor.

Town Meeting

In this structure of administration, citizens gather at predetermined times of the year (maybe twice or thrice) and create, amend or abolish specific local laws and policies. Additionally, this assembly selects an individual or a group of citizens to run city affairs. However, this kind of organization is mostly applied in smallest of the cities.

Structure and Powers of Houston City Government

Houston is a city located in Texas, and it is among the fastest growing urban centers in the United States. Founded in 1836, Houston assumes a “strong mayor-council” type of government. The mayor, sixteen members of the council and the professional city administrator are all elected and required to serve a leadership term of four years (Jillson 232). As from year January 2016, elected officials manning the city were eligible to serve a maximum of two-four years terms (Newell, Charldean, David and James 14). Houston’s administrative structure provides that the mayor should head the executive office of the town while official representatives and the principal administrator enforce laws/regulations and must oversee the overall management of the city. After the passage of a series of amendments to the referendum, the mayor can now only vie for the office up to two consecutive four-year terms (Jillson 232). The council members are permitted to contend in three successive terms. The term limits are taken very seriously and any individual who tries to violate the law is barred from campaigning for his or her previous post.

Powers of Houston’s Mayor

The mayor is CEO, chief administrator and an official representative of the city (Jillson 233). He or she is responsible for overall management and ensures that citizens comply with ordinances and laws. With the approval of the members of the council, the mayor’s office has the authority to appoint department heads and advisory committees. Amongst other duties, the mayor has the mandate to administer oaths, preside the voting of the city council, advise the members of the board and also presents yearly budgets before the council for approval.

Powers of Houston’s City Council

The city council is the area’s legislative structure and has the authority to amend and enforce all regulations and resolutions. A total sixteen members (eleven elected from districts and five are voted by all over the city) and the mayor are only warranted to act on resolution, ordinance or motion (Jillson 236). The council scrutinizes and may even alter the yearly budgets, verify the mayor’s appointments, issue bonds and award some contracts.

11/5 Plan

Each year, Houston City Council designates time to evaluate and discuss a comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan that is meant to provide direction for infrastructural projects in five years (Newell, Charldean, David and James 118). A specified amount of funds is divided amongst the districts, and the council members are expected to initiate development in the next five years using the resource. Nonetheless, the funds are allocated by needs and hence all the districts get varied amounts of share.

In conclusion, administrators of cities are responsible for the provision of health, sanitation, education, transport systems, and protection, to all the residents irrespective of their backgrounds. These forms of governments are usually arranged as a Mayor-Council, a council-manager, a commission or a strong-mayor government.  Depending on their size, most types of city organizations assume either of the structures. Houston is defined by a strong Mayor-Council type of government. Both the mayor and the council of members play a crucial role in ensuring continuous operations of the city and compliance with the law.  The administrative duties also entail rolling out budgets for five-year plans that are meant to achieve development.

Works Cited

Jillson, Cal. Texas Politics: Governing the Lone Star State. Routledge, 2015.

Maxwell, William Earl, Ernest Crain, and Adolfo Santos. Texas Politics Today, 2013-2014 Edition. Cengage Learning, 2013.

Newell, Charldean, David F. Prindle, and James Riddlesperger. Texas Politics 2015-2016. Cengage Learning, 2015.

Women’s History Essay

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Women’s History Essay

The end of civil war in the United States helped in evaluation of the impact of different groups, especially women. As in any other communities, the role of women, especially after the civil war, was evident. Various female characters showed up expressing their opinions towards the rift and the fight to liberate the slaves and protect women and children in the country. Besides, the women stood at the front line through forming groups and protesting for their rights. However, they faced tough consequences before justice was done. The paper will discuss the experience of women in the post-civil war in America. It will also discuss the acts, organizations, Congress, conflicts and consequences they encountered.

            After the civil war, women displayed their gratitude to the noble work done. Despite thousands of men who died in the battle, they were fighting for the common good and welfare of the under-privileged slaves[1]. As a result, the women took the front line to thank the gentlemen for their devotion to protecting their women and children[2]. On this point, Rebecca Latimer Felton displayed her courage in her strong speeches to thank the warriors and the government for their goodwill. Felton emphasized the importance of the courageous men in protecting their children and women[3]. She stressed that their mothers should be protected from any source of harm. The warriors should be vigilant in protecting their children and families. They should be protected from dramshop. She pointed out that lack of protection of mothers affected them. Besides, they deserve to be guarded, protected and defended. Their happiness was reduced by barrooms[4]. The rooms were selling liquor that without doubt, affected the lives of their children, making their mothers to lose hope on them. Moreover, women took the role of entertaining Americans despite the war tension that was in every part of the country. Women who took such role were Clyde and Bonnie. Although their acknowledgment appeared late after their deaths, the women appeared bond and courageous using guns to fight with other men. Each of them had unique features, Clyde was portrayed as hot-tempered while Bonnie was a high-spirited person[5]. The women were involved in violent crime. However, despite the crimes, they were viewed with the notion of entertainment. The duos had formed a grouped that could seduce other people to criminal activities.

            Further, women played a major role in seeking their rights and recognition in the state government. Their solidarity helped them to make major moves that created one voice in the country. Such a move was seen in Emma Goldman. The lady had been disrupted by use of anarchy in the country[6]. As a result, they teamed up with people with similar motives such as Alexander Berkman whom they developed to affairs. Through her boldness, Goldman she became the speaker of the anarchist community. She went against all the odds to fight for the social order. In this case, she was fighting for the Women’s Rights. Together with her fiancé, they tried to convince men not to register for the proposed draft of 1917[7]. The move made them to be arrested. As a result, Goldman decided to write a letter to the jury. However, her pleas were not attended to despite her goodwill. Instead, the two were convicted and found guilty[8]. As a result, the court ordered that the two to be deported back to Russia, which was their mother country[9]. However, I believe that what Goldman was fighting for was right and fair. She was pressuring the government to ensure there is equality between men and women. Women should be given equal roles and responsibilities as their men counterpart. Additionally, women should not be undermined and discriminated in social responsibilities. Instead, they were supposed to be recognized and honored. The struggle for women’s rights did not stop there. The same approach was used by Mary Elizabeth. While addressing the president and other citizens, Elizabeth pointed her concern as a woman. She drew the pointed of being oppressed and denied her rights[10]. She affirmed that women have read and they are intelligent enough to handle social matters as well as their male counterparts. Therefore, she stated that there was no difference between the two genders. She accepted the fact that we are living in a changing world and which is led by thoughts and great brains[11]. Therefore, she was calling for the recognition of the role of a woman in the society. Women were facing the challenge of political and economic oppression. Instead, men were viewed as the dominant in the field of politics and economics[12]. However, Elizabeth was against the idea. She considered that women have become enlightened and they are capable of fighting for the same positions with the men in the society[13].

            After the civil war, women started using their power to support and condemn different political moves and changing society views. Hence, they stood out firmly to share their own opinions and to fight for their rights. As a result, they indicated their important roles in the society. For instance, Rebecca Latimer showed her support for prohibition of some practices in the society[14]. Additionally, women stood to have their rights recognized and identified. In this case, we have an example of Mary Elizabeth[15]. They also played the role of entertaining, which has been demonstrated by Bonnie and Clyde. 

References

“Emma Goldman’s Address to the Jury (1917),” American Perspectives: Readings in American

History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),325.

“Rebecca Latimer Felton Endorses Prohibition (1895),” American Perspectives: Readings in

American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 67.

“The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde (1934)” American Perspectives: Readings in American

History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 408.

“Two Speeches by Mary Elizabeth Lease, (1890)” American Perspectives: Readings in

American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 120.

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[1] “Rebecca Latimer Felton Endorses Prohibition (1895),” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),67.

[2] Ibid

[3] “Rebecca Latimer Felton Endorses Prohibition (1895),” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),67.

[4] Ibid

[5] “The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde (1934)” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 408.

[6] “Emma Goldman’s Address to the Jury (1917),” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),325.

[7] Ibid

[8] Ibid

[9] Ibid

[10] “Two Speeches by Mary Elizabeth Lease, (1890)” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 120.

[11] Ibid

[12] “Two Speeches by Mary Elizabeth Lease, (1890)” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015), 120.

[13] Ibid

[14] “Rebecca Latimer Felton Endorses Prohibition (1895),” American Perspectives: Readings in American History, Vol 2, 6 edt., Kent McGauthy, (Pearson Learning Solutions, 2015),67.

[15] Ibid