Dear Editor: Like Madison, Austin, Texas, is a progressive city. However, Austin’s government differs in one important way: It is resident-focused. Its organization chart shows city of Austin residents at the top, followed by the mayor and City Council.
Madison’s organization chart has the mayor in the most prominent spot with the Common Council and mayoral Staff on either side.
Madison’s chart is an accurate depiction of how things operate here, because it doesn’t suggest that the mayor and Common Council are accountable to residents. If they felt accountable, they would:…