CONCERNING THE NOVEMBER 7TH BALLET PROPOSAL TO CHANGE OUR COUNTY FORM OF GOVERNMENT -- WCCCG

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Date Posted: 15:49:30 10/24/00 Tue
Author: Michael Moulton
Subject: CONCERNING THE NOVEMBER 7TH BALLET PROPOSAL TO CHANGE OUR COUNTY FORM OF GOVERNMENT

SUMMARY STATEMENT BY
MICHAEL J MOULTON CONCERNING THE NOVEMBER 7TH BALLET PROPOSAL TO CHANGE OUR COUNTY FORM OF GOVERNMENT TO A SEVEN MEMBER COMMISSION WITH A NON ELECTED COUNTY MANAGER

People ask me why I am opposed to the citizen�s initiative (proposal) that is to appear on the November 7th ballot in Wasatch County. I will summarize my reasons in the order of significance.

First, it is time to remind ourselves of the solid tradition of good government we have in Wasatch County. The county is full of good people who enjoy living, growing, and raising families together. We have all felt a measure of success, peace, and safety resulting from the efforts of excellent families, leaders, and public servants during the last 140 years.

Call it what you want, but I submit the county has a noteworthy tradition of being a safe and stable place to live. That must be one reason why so many people want to come here.

I wish everybody, both old and young, would remember the reasons why they like living here. We need to make a grand gesture of support for the stability and tradition we have, even in the midst of great change swirling around us, by voting NO to the proposed county government change.

Our traditional form of county government has not been perfect, but please do not forget that it has brought us success. We have had very good public servants that were willing to sacrifice their time and talent to serve us. They have done the best they could do.

This does not mean I am stuck on tradition so much that I think we need not change, but tradition stabilizes and reinforces our good work, and accommodates our method of change. It seems to me the change as promoted by a group of dissatisfied people would be so radical that we "throw the baby out with the bathwater," or drop our tradition.

Second, I believe that what is done by government in a community should be done for the good of the majority of the people. All of us are going to disagree sometimes with the decisions made by those who govern, but that does not give us the right to slander, irreverently condemn, headhunt, or assume that with an idea and a few backers, we have the right to change the rules midstream. What we do not like we can change at the next election. However, I am happy to see the current issue brought to a vote of all the people.

Third, I do not want big government in little Wasatch County. My major educational study was not political science, but it seems only logical that moving from three commissioners to seven, and adding a "professional" manager with support staff is getting bigger government and taking the electorate further away from those they elected.

How can this bigger government help but cost more? We have been accused of not knowing how to add, but it is the proponents of this measure who seem to have left out several numbers. They don�t talk much about the $75,000 necessary to hire a good public administrator, or the cost of all his or her benefits.

Fourth, I strongly object to an overpaid, non-elected, county chief executive officer that I cannot vote out of office. I have enough of that with the state and federal government. I still like my local government "for the people, by the people, and of the people."

Fifth, I believe that three elected commissioners working as a team with other elected county officials (Sheriff, Treasurer, Clerk, etc.) is an excellent form of government. Each is responsible for their department, and each is responsible to the entire county electorate.

Seven committee members may have a hard time agreeing on anything. It is disturbing to me that five of these people would be elected from specific voting districts. I believe we would see politics played in the county like we have never seen before as each commissioner spent time rubbing the backs he thought most likely to play along with him for his pet project.

Nine hundred people may have signed the petition (I did, but now regret it), but the rest of the 12,000 citizens need to raise their voice and let the smaller group know they are not interested in their brand of change.

The majority of the people here need to start asking the question, what do we want in the future, and what can we do to keep our traditional way of life? I think we can start by going to the polls to vote this proposal down, and by encouraging our families and friends to do the same. Then we can carry on by becoming involved in city and county government. Volunteer to serve on the many advisory boards and committees. Make it known that you are willing to help those who are elected fulfill their stewardship.

If we sit back and do nothing, we will find ourselves being governed by those we care not for. I truly believe this to be the case. Please vote NO on this proposal.

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