Yes to charter changes | Letter

Published 1:13 pm Friday, September 14, 2012

If I understand the letter to the Sounder for the Aug. 22 issue (“Vote no on Charter Propositions 1 and 2”), we should not consider having all citizens vote for all council members, and continue balkanization, because it would be too expensive to do otherwise. A number of $50,000 was mentioned the cost for a candidate to run for office, although the Public Disclosure Commission records belie this.  Once the number was tossed out, the argument went along the lines that this “could” allow well-funded special interest groups to somehow restrict and dominate elections. Knowing my fellow citizens

I have a hard time believing that money will control San Juan County voting decisions. I might argue that being dubbed a “special interest group” might kill their chances in the election booth!

Of course, with Supreme Court decisions, almost any amount can be spent on any election, including at the district level. And with the cost of paid advertising one could spend virtually any amount of money raised as campaign finance contributions. But in San Juan County it appears that this issue is something of a red herring, especially since inexpensive electronic media play an increasing role in campaigning.

The real wealth restrictions on campaigning derive from having small pocket districts with limited numbers of campaign contributors and having council positions that take a lot of time but pay little. Because a working person supporting a family cannot consider running, the field is left open only to those of means.  Having only three council positions, with full-time pay, would alleviate these restrictions.

Stephen Garrison

Orcas Island