As the two candidates running for the County Council from District 4 on Orcas Island, we would like to thank the Charter Review Committee for their time and energy devoted to the Charter Review process. While we appreciate the work completed, we are issuing this joint letter urging voters to reject Propositions 1 and 2 of the Charter Review.
We acknowledge a unique interest in rejecting these propositions. If passed, Proposition 1 would require two additional time consuming, expensive, countywide election campaigns to be held early in 2013. It would be costly personally to the candidates and costly for the county (you) to repeat an election.
There are several other reasons to reject Proposition 1. Consider the belief in equal representation and the requirement to assess the quality of the decision-maker seeking office. If passed, Prop 1 asks you to consider three candidates elected countywide. We find it unlikely that Orcas citizens can come to know and trust the quality of the candidates from Lopez and San Juan through an election campaign.
Currently, voters in six equal population districts elect a candidate because that candidate’s actual actions and deeds, known in that district, recommend them for office. These community-minded neighbors are expected to make good decisions on behalf of the whole county, because that’s why they’re elected, and because they have a proven history of moving things forward even when things aren’t optimal, or the choices clear, or the citizens unified.
Reject Prop 2 as well. Clear separation of powers is a basic tenet of good governance. When present, responsibility and accountability are possible. It’s not healthy when the policy branch is given authoritarian license to meddle in the running of the administrative branch, possibly solely for political reasons. While it may be nostalgic to long for “the good old days” when things were simple, the reality is the county is now a complex $40 million dollar enterprise that demands skilled policy making and professional management.
Please vote this November. Vote to reject Propositions 1 and 2 of the Charter Review.
Scott Lancaster
Rick Hughes
Orcas Island
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What began in the late 19th, early 20th century as a good government reform movement still holds value for us today.
The county administrator/commission form of government began as a result of a progressive movement that saw the previous strong mayor/council form of government as an opportunity for corruption and influence peddling. The second strand for reform was the concept of professional administration for municipalities in much the way that business operated with a CEO and a board of directors. In addition, a professional administrator was seen as someone who could serve as a buffer between county employees and elected officials, allowing those employees to get on with their jobs without undo meddling from elected officials.
Today, by far, most municipalities and counties across the United States operate quite successfully with a professional administrator appointed by the commission and a commission elected by the voters. This allows for a separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government in addition to providing professional management. Admittedly, not always is the administrator a perfect fit for a particular municipality, but when the fit is a good one, all the constituents are well served.
The idea that three elected citizens with little or no training in public administration can serve as professional directors of the county’s business is whimsical at best and can be downright damaging to county efficiency and employee morale.
I would urge my fellow citizens to give the reforms enacted in the previous charter review amendments an opportunity to succeed and reject the current attempt of Charter Review Propositions 1 and 2 to return to a flawed system the voters chose to improve back in 2005.
For more information on why we, the voters, should Reject Propositions 1 and 2, please go to www.votenocharterrecview1and2.com.
Midge Kraetzer
Orcas Island
