To the Editor:

Before we were introduced to Archie Bunker on "All in the Family," and before the first test tube baby, mood rings, lava lamps, smiley faces, hot pants, platform shoes, when this nation was involved in a police conflict in southeast Asia, here in St. Ignace, a group of citizens met to study and prepare a revised City Charter.

That charter reveals in its pages their love for our beautiful city and their concern for good government. Past abuses, such as the hiring of family members for lucrative city employment, were addressed by specifically outlawing that unfair employment practice.

The 1970s version of municipal duties and restrictions was meant to ensure the city's smooth sail into the future.

Sometime between the time when a majority of city voters and Governor William Milliken approved this charter, and now, city government stopped using that charter as a guideline for its civic responsibilities.

No one can quite tell when that happened.

Now, the mayor, city council, and others have spent considerable time and tax dollars to read and study this document.

The city manager identified the final four areas on concern to the council at February's meeting within city limits. He was heard to say that the city can comply with each area with a minimum of disruption.

The mayor echoed the city manager's assertions.

Then, one of the members of Council distributed to everyone - with the exception of members of the public in attendance at that meeting - that council member's proposed resolutions.

One man wants to change the City Charter to comply with the way things are done at City Hall. It seems that this council member does not quite grasp that the charter dictates and City Hall complies.

What we have here is a perfectly viable version of the rules that have largely been ignored for the past 39 years and now one enterprising elected council member wants to develop plans to have his (largely private!) changes to the city's charter on November's ballot.

All this despite the agreement that the existing charter can be followed by City Hall with a minimum of consideration for the advancements of almost four decades of technological advances.

Read the City Charter for yourself. Copies are available at the clerk's office for $3.25.

Then, you'll know what you think needs revision in November. Contact the members of City Council and the mayor with your opinion

It's no mystery that after my review of this all-important document, I think that the charter is fine as it is, and my only recommendation is that the city's administration exercise full compliance, as the 1970 version has never really been tested.

Mary Nichols

St. Ignace