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Show OCTOBER 14, 1994 Badge Cite News PAGE 2 for political reform Thumbs Down On Initiative A Have you read your voter information pamphlet? Understood every word, did you? Initiative A - Term Limits? Sure, everybody agrees that's a good idea. Throw the bums out! County Attorney Leo Kanell advises voters to take a closer look. Initiative A isn't just about term limits; it also contains a provision for a runoff — election that may be more beneficial to Merrill Cook than to anyone else. "rhe: sponsors of Initiative A (Merrill Cook and friends) have hardly said anything about runoff elections, even though it is a major part of the initiative. The initiative provides that when there are Congressional District seat in Congress? Why should we in rural Utah be tricked into voting for an initiative whose only real purpose is to give Merrill Cook a better chance of being elected to some political office?" Kanell asked. - ~ ~ Political realities are different in rural Utah than on the Wasatch Front. : Kanell. explained, large Wasatch counties, the November," third place finisher? law would If this have been in effect, there would have been a runoff election for Governor. Leavitt would Governor have still won, but it would have been a waste of time and money. Isn't it also a coincidence that Merrill Cook is now involved in a three way race for the Second officials knew they would be limited to eight years in office, they probably would not run for office, and __ instead, look else ware for a career. The quality of - people running for office office, and their second 4year term looking for another job. There would be no incentive for the elected official to work hard during his or her second term." What if the elected officials in rural counties served as managers only? In there are career employees that do the actual work. In rural counties like Beaver, the elected officials actually do the work. Term limits would be okay for the managers elected in the larger counties, but it is not counties. Our elected officials have made their position a _ career, voters they can do the job took second in the race for Governor with Mike Leavitt, the Republican winner, and Stewart Hansen, Jr., the Democratic elected learning election will not draw the same number of voters as the general election, clearing . "Isn't it a coincidence that Merrill Cook, as an Independent, potential and etc manage an office; - subject to the voter's returning them to office each term. If they do the job right, the voters will return them to office. if they do not do the job, or if someone else convinces the the small turnout. If good treasurers, recorders, clerks Kanell said. Well, what's wrong with having a_ runoff election? And, who pays for it? John Q. Taxpayer pays, of course. Cost is not the only disadvantage. A runoff the way for special interest groups to take advantage of officials, in small counties, actually do the work, the work is efficiently handled. that were elected would spend their first 4-year term smaller in elected ‘Front elected than 50 percent of the vote, on for would likely suffer. Those fair to the elected officers in later popular. But, voter beware! This initiative's requirement "In the more than two candidates for any elected position and no candidate receives more a runoff election will be held "Since better, they will not be returned. This has worked well in Beaver County." “For example, former Treasurer, Rondo Farrer, served as Treasurer for about 40 years, and John Christiansen served as County Attorney for about 36 years. Our Recorder, Bruce Brown, was involved in construction until forced into a career change. He has a philosophy in the recorder's office; he never leaves work until all the recording is done for that day. Do we really want to tell a good public servant like Bruce Brown, that he will have to find a new job after eight years. (The initiative seems to exempt current office holders.)" how to run the addition to paying for the elected official, John Q. Taxpayer would probably be forced to pay for a hired professional to do the actual work. What works in the city may not be practical in rural Utah. What if the voters want term limits? Kanell explained that we already have a_ term limits statute on the books. "In 1994, in response to the will of the legislature limits law that no people, our state adopted a term which provides State Executive Officer, Representative State or quite State Senator can serve more than 12 years. The legislature adopted term limits for our Federal Officers, which will take effect when a majority of other states also adopt term limits. The legislature wisely did not impose term limits on county elected officials." Voter _ frustration, directed at the professional politician, is undoubtedly a concern throughout the country, making proposals runoff elections apparently applies to this November's election. According to Alfred Emery and John Flynn, law professors at University of Utah, "Existing law. governing the effective dates _ of initiatives provides that an initiative approved by | voters does not take effect for at least five days after the proclamation of the ~ vote." Those same professors question the constitutionality (both U. S. and State) of limiting terms. If voters pass Initiative A, legal battles will almost certainly follow. That litigation will be paid for by none other than John Q. Taxpayer. COUNTY ATTORNEY Leo Kanell (Rep./unopposed retention) PRECINCT JUSTICES ~ (Non-partisan/unopposed retention) Beaver - Roland Yardley Minersville - Jetta Davie Milford - Bene Johnson UNOPPOSED RETENTION. MEANS THAT IF THERE ARE "YES" VOTES ~ MORE THE INDIVIDUAL REMAINS IN OFFICE. IF THERE ARE MORE "NO" VOTES REPLACEMENT Did You APPLIES. — Know? 18 on or before Nov 8: NOVEMBER 8 BEAVER COUNTY CANDIDATES COUNTY COMMISSION Precinct A: Gary Sullivan (Inc. Rep.) Mark Whitney (Dem.) Precinct B: Ross Marshall (Inc. Rep.) H. E."Griff’Griffiths (Dem) CLERK/AUDITOR Paul Barton (Inc. Dem.) unopposed COUNTY TREASURER LeAnn Joseph (Rep.) Kallie Goff (Dem) COUNTY RECORDER Bruce Brown (Inc. Dem.) unopposed “?_ COUNTY ASSESSOR Max Limb (Inc. Rep.) Kelley Stapley (Dem.)COUNTY SHERIFF Ken Yardley (Inc. Dem.) Lynn MciInelly (Rep) Donald Hagberg (Ind.) SCHOOL BOARD Non-partisan Precinct 4: Patricia Rimpau (Inc.) Larry Maycock Precinct 5: Norman L. Lamb (Inc.) Richard Rose First time voters, who will be 18-years-old on or before November 8, can register now to be eligible to vote in the. up-coming election. Registration can be completed at the County Clerk's office until November 3, or at local voter registration designations on November 1, 2, and 3. There are no special requirements for first time voters. Junior Volunteer Minutes for October 12, 1994 We started ~—our meeting at 4:00 p.m. Today we made some baby baskets for the new mother's at the hospital. We also made some spider crafts for the Geriatrics. We will be _ having a Halloween party with the Geriatrics for all Candy Stripers on October 27, 1994 at 7:00 p.m. The officers (Candace McDermoit-President, Holly Willden- Vice-President , Natalie Nelson-Secretary, _ and Cheryl BarnesHistorian) made posters for _ the Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser we'll be having. Our Candy Striper symbol is Red Hearts with JV's on them. We closed our meeting at 5:00 p.m. |