Chairman of the Wasatch County Citizens for Conservative Government -- WCCCG

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Date Posted: 15:45:29 10/24/00 Tue
Author: Michael Moulton
Subject: Chairman of the Wasatch County Citizens for Conservative Government

GUEST EDITORIAL FOR WASATCH WAVE
By Michael J Moulton
Chairman of the Wasatch County Citizens for Conservative Government

Months ago I remember being intrigued by newspaper accounts of a group who proposed a citizen�s initiative to change the form of our county government. At first thought, I wondered why they were doing this. It seemed to me that county government as it now stands has worked quite favorably for a long time.
I quickly decided this proposed initiative did not sound like a good idea, but I kept my mind open enough that when a very good friend came by with a request to sign the petition, I listened while she introduced me to the argument in favor of a seven member commission with a county manager. She was persuasive enough that my wife Ann and I decided to sign the petition.
However, as one man has said, "Argument is a poor tool for discovering the truth because it defends a narrow position, but usually lacks breadth. Anyone can make a case for or against anything, but the right way to investigate is to gather comprehensively and then seek to understand." (Richard L. Anderson)
I have tried to understand this story as it has been unfolding during the past months, but I must tell you, I have been dismayed because of the one-sided argument that has been put forth on a consistent basis by those who want to change the county government. I keep asking myself, why are they doing this?
From what I am reading, it seems in opposition to my historical perspective of the manner in which we have lived here, the life style we have enjoyed, and the kind of low-key politics we have witnessed. So even though I dislike talking politics, I do like talking history, and believe the historical form of county government has served us well.
Consequently, Ann and I have changed our minds and believe the seven member county commission is not in the best interest of the majority of the good citizens of Wasatch County. We truly believe that such a commission would promote an agenda of constant argument and divisiveness more than we have ever seen in the history of the county.
One of the best things we have here are not just "good old boys," but good people of integrity, honesty, and high character standards who are willing to volunteer as Public Servants, and I emphasize the servant part. As I have considered our past and present commissioners, I cannot remember one of these men who have come close to raping, repining, pillaging, or plundering the county, and (heaven forbid) I do not think one of them has ever sued their county. They seem to have had the very best interests of the county citizens in mind as a whole, not special interest groups.
Now there we see politics, and it is very distasteful; that is why most of us do not like the word. But here in the historical perspective we see people who sacrifice their time, and in most instances, a great deal of income to serve the citizens of our wonderful, little county. By and large, they have done the best they can do. We will not always agree with what they are trying to do, but they have given it their all.
I am personally very offended at the amount of rancor and self serving criticism that has been leveled at the recent commissioners, all for the sake of what I perceive as a small group of vocal people who want to change the rules in midstream by having a new form of government. Why do they want this? Is it because the current rules do not seem to favor them? In reading between the lines, I wonder if they believe that since they cannot live by the rules and get elected through due process to pursue their own agendas, then they want to get rid of those who won election by the majority of us who voted in good faith for the current commissioners and all those who have gone before them.
This is the main reason I have decided to step forward and do what I can to present the other side of the discussion. Mr. Anderson also said, "An array of half truths presented in a combative manner should not satisfy a thinking person." Our Committee for a Continuation of Conservative Government wants to present what I call the historical side of this issue, and give the thinking person something to think about. We want to do what we can to have a peaceful, unified valley in the midst of great turmoil and change, and not just argue all the time.
I wonder how much luck seven commission members, representing distinct areas of the county will have in preserving the peace. I have found the more you have on governing committees, the more difficult it is to get anything done. This may be especially true when it comes to working with the state and federal lawmakers and bureaucrats. I am told that a great deal of time of a local law maker is spent working with those who really have the say--the state and federal agencies who tell us what we can do, how much we can spend, and where to go.
As an example of this, we can look to a very good county commissioner a few years back named Pete Coleman, from Midway. As I remember the story, he had a reputation for making friends with people in high places (call it politics if you want), and almost single handedly worked a deal to keep the historic railroad here in town. I believe that if it were not for Pete, the tracks would have been torn up and we would never had a claim to fame, not to mention the tremendous economic and cultural impact the railroad has produced. He worked tirelessly to make this happen.
If it had been left to seven underpaid, very part time commissioners, would this have ever happened? Would any of them have taken the time and the initiative to work the miracle that Pete did? They would probably defer the matter to "their manager." Seven commission members will have a very difficult time working with these various agencies and speaking as one voice.
Speaking of a manager may sound like a good idea in some respects, but I personally have had enough of government bureaucrats telling me what I can and cannot do. I do not believe we need one more in Wasatch County. It may be a worthy idea that we have somebody in charge of the day-to-day operation of the county, but we already have capable managers and ten elected "experts" to manage the county. We have specialists in legislation, in the law, in financial matters, in taxation, and in record keeping. They are paid well enough to get their jobs done, and if they do not, we vote them out of office and get new people. Mike Spanos makes an excellent point that a county "C.E.O." will have no power over these elected officials or the kind of job they do (see guest editorial of October 4th in this paper). Under the current form of government, only three of the elected officials have legislative power, but they council with the other seven elected officials. This is wonderful countywide representation, and it works for the good of all the people.
The provision to hire a new Chief Executive Officer of the county makes me wonder who will be benefited--most likely the person who gets the high paying job. To get a good person in this position will probably require a salary of around $75,000 per year, plus lots of money for benefits. That is more than most any other county manager makes in or out of government, and more than most of us make who live here. The question is, will he or she be able to justify this high salary?
If this person has the power to make decisions, then a non-elected official will control our lives. If all decisions have to be deferred to the seven member council to get answers or permission, then what have we gained except the "privilege" of dealing with seven to get around this one master? This is more politics than I would ever want to play.
My conclusion is, why change something that has worked quite well for the last 150 years? The system has changed and evolved to meet the current times, and will need to continue to do so, but it does work. I am all for change for the better, but we need to adhere to correct principles and not change the rules.
The Wasatch County Citizens for Conservative Government has a great deal to say (in a short amount of time) to counter all of the negative press we citizens have been getting for months now. I urge you to study the guest editorials presented by members of our committee over the next few weeks, to read our advertisements, and to study the voter information pamphlet when it comes to your home.
I hope you will join my friends and I to stop this counter productive and expensive proposal on the November ballet.

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