Everyone knows what a “quick-fix” is. Simply put, it’s a problem solving technique that uses the fastest solution to keep a problem from recurring in the near future.

A quick fix won’t necessarily eliminate the problem.

A quick fix won’t necessarily keep the problem from recurring.

But it will fix something today, and sometimes that’s all we see.

When it comes to government and leadership, though, a quick fix is rarely the right answer.

Consider the petition by the United Citizens of Port Arthur (UCOPA) to radically change the structure of city government. The group is soliciting support for its proposal to eliminate city council seats 7 and 8, both of which are elected citywide. District 5 Councilman Willie “Bae” Lewis is driving the petition as a way to promote citywide progress.

UCOPA cites nearly $36,000 in potential annual savings for the city as one of the most compelling reasons for the change. The savings estimate is accurate. The actual breakdown of numbers can be seen on page A3 of the Tuesday, Aug. 2, edition of The Port Arthur News.

There’s no question that reducing city council seats is necessary, and as a newspaper, we have supported a more streamlined approach to our city government. But eliminating the only two citywide elected positions other than the mayor could have reversing effects and possibly hold back our city.

If we, as a community, want long-term change that will benefit all citizens of Port Arthur, this issue needs to be looked at carefully. Simply pointing a stick and saying this seat goes and this seat stays is a short-term fix, not a long-term solution.

We need to examine the current system that was put into place during the 1980s, find what has worked and what needs to be changed in order for Port Arthur to flourish well into the future. We need to focus on voting trends in each district and to re-evaluate district boundaries, district needs, city council compensation and who can vote for which district. Perhaps we may even explore electing all council members by citywide vote.

But to do any of that properly and thoroughly, we need time.

UCOPA would like this issue to be settled on the Nov. 8 election ballot, which is why there has been such a rush to attain the 1,454 petition signatures needed. If the necessary signatures are in place, UCOPA will bring the petition to the city in enough time for city employees to verify signatures prior to Aug. 22 for approval to be placed on the ballot.

And that would be a mistake.

The Port Arthur city council charters dictate that changes such as these can only be made every two years. If the quick fix UCOPA wants to make is actually voted on and approved by citizens this year, we would be forced to wait another two years before any additional — perhaps any real, progressive — changes could be made. Do we want to do that?

If we are truly going to make long-term change for our community, then we should do it the right way. PACC should create a committee consisting of local business leaders, entrust in them the responsibility to look at our city structure under a microscope and create three options for council to view. Ultimately selecting one to be voted on by the citizens of Port Arthur. It is time for a change, but only change that will benefit each and every one of us. Port Arthur needs a solution, not a quick fix.

Follow me on Twitter @rich_macke. Rich Macke is the publisher of The Port Arthur News.