To the Editor:

What sounds better than efficiency? If words were candy, efficiency would be a big gumdrop. Apparently in the name of efficiency, our leaders are consolidating three distinct, distinctive long-standing groups (the Civil Rights Commission, the Affordable Housing Board, and the Human Services Commission). It does sound efficient. But efficient how? Will it bind “the kind of people” who care about banalities like justice, dignity, affordable housing, civil rights, and human services for the vulnerable into one happy, undoubtedly efficient, committee?

Efficiency may be critical to profitability. But government is about democracy, and the beauty of local government is about having one’s voice heard, even if it is an inefficient process.

It would be reasonable to ask why 29 volunteers are being cut by 2/3 to a more “efficient” nine, with less meetings, less topics, less exposure, and perhaps less time to get into trouble? Why was there no public input on this “efficiency” decision? If it was the right decision, why not stand behind it? Perhaps if it were instead a committee to build lucrative multi-story market rate housing — that committee would get the key to the city.

Dave Saltzman
Montadale Drive