Yes on CRC changes | Letter
Published 11:46 am Tuesday, October 9, 2012
As a member of the Charter Review Committee, I’ve been fascinated to see some of the falsehoods that have been flung about concerning both the process and the proposed changes. When it comes to the process, others on the committee have ably dealt with the misinformation in previous letters.
When it comes to the proposed changes, reasonable people can disagree. I think the proposed changes are necessary for a more efficient, fair, and representative government. One of the great pleasures of serving on the Charter Review Committee was finding myself in full agreement with longtime political opponents, John Evans, Gordy Peterson and Tom Starr. We may often disagree on what government should do but we can all agree on the best form of governance.
One of the best reasons to return to three council members has to do with the supposed “half-time” nature of the current council with six members. No matter the number, it is a full-time job! All of the current council members have said that they work a minimum of full-time but the county can only afford to pay them as “half-time.” Do we want to live in a county where only the “better off” percentage of our population can govern out county? I don’t.
If you’re happy being able to vote for only 17 percent of your county government then vote no on the charter amendments. If you’ve taken time to actually observe your current six person council in deliberations and feel they are more efficient, decisive and representative than the previous three-person commission, then vote no on the charter amendments. When you have a problem with county government, if you’re happy with the ping-pong game of shuttling back and forth between county administrator and “your” council member, then vote no on the charter amendments.
But if you want true equal representation, if you want to vote for ALL of your legislators and want to know that they will be the parties responsible for county government, then vote YES.
Feel free to call me at 376-4656 to discuss this further.
Bob Gamble
Orcas Island
