What’s more, city managers are often not from the communities they serve, said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at University of Mary Washington.
“That detachment can allow for professionalism that serves the long term interest of a community,” he said. “What you can get with elected officials in more power is a very deep understanding of the community and heightened responsiveness to constituents,” Farnsworth said. “Each system has its opportunity for frustration.”
