OP-ED | When “Part-Time Legislators” Believe They Run the Government

By Wane A. Hailes

In cities across America, local democracy works best when elected officials understand the limits—and the responsibilities—of their role. But when part-time legislators begin acting as if they are full-time executive leaders, the result is rarely bold leadership. Far more often, it is confusion, inefficiency, unchecked influence from special interests, and a slow erosion of public trust.

Unfortunately, Columbus, Georgia is no exception.

A System Designed for Service—Not Ego The city charter says that our city council exists to provide oversight, pass budgets, represent constituents, and work collaboratively with a full-time administrative team. They are not designed to micromanage the government or substitute themselves for the professionals hired to run it.

When council members start believing they “actually run the government,” the system bends under the weight of misplaced authority.

And the cracks show.

Conflicts of Interest Become Inevitable Because some council members must hold outside jobs to make a living, conflicts of interest are built into the structure. Votes that overlap with private businesses, professional associations, or personal vendettas are not hypothetical—they are routine.

Ethical governance requires constant vigilance. A part-time council acting like a full-time power center creates the opposite: blurred lines, blurred roles, and blurred accountability.

Power Concentrates in the Hands of a Few In most part-time legislatures, only a handful of members devote full-time energy to the role. They become the de facto power brokers—setting agendas, shaping narratives, steering votes, and in some cases, intimidating or sidelining colleagues.

This is not democracy. It is drift.
And drift leads to dysfunction.

The Public Sees the Dysfunction—and Loses Faith When residents watch their council argue over procedural issues, micromanage executive functions, or take stances driven more by personality than policy, cynicism rises. Trust erodes. And with each controversy, Columbus moves further from transparent, accountable, collaborative government.

Columbus Deserves Better Advocates of “citizen legislatures” argue that part-time service keeps representatives grounded. In theory, they’re right.

But in practice—here in Columbus—the structure has become a liability.

A part-time council treating itself like a full-time executive branch is a recipe for:

• governance paralysis,
• fragmented leadership,
• poor oversight,
• unchecked outside influence, and
• a public that feels shut out of decisions made in their name.

Columbus is a growing, diversifying, increasingly complex city. It demands a governing body that operates with clarity, discipline, humility, and respect for the system we all rely on.

Right now, we have a council that too often behaves as though power is the prize—not the responsibility.

And until that changes, the dysfunction will continue.

While council members argue over process, posture for political advantage, or insert themselves into day-to-day operations, Columbus still faces:

• rising youth violence,
• uneven economic development,
• a shortage of affordable housing,
• infrastructure strains, and
• morale challenges in public safety.

These issues require focused, coordinated leadership—not part-time legislators trying to run full-time departments from the dais.

Columbus Deserves a Functioning System A citizen legislature only works when its members understand the assignment. Their job is to set policy, provide oversight, and represent the people—not replace professional administrators or chase personal political brands.

Until the council returns to its intended role, Columbus will continue to experience:

• inefficiency,
• confusion,
• public frustration, and
• missed opportunities.

This city is growing. Its challenges are growing. And leadership must grow up with them.

Because the people of Columbus elected a part-time council—
not a part-time government pretending to be a full-time one.