OCR Text |
Show J PAGE 12 THE ZEPHYRMARCH 1992 Does Grand County Need A New Form Of Government? by Jim Stiles Code, under a chapter entitled 'Optional plans for county government" This is what the Legislature had to say about its intent when it created this law: On election day last November, commissioner David Knutson and I sat on the steps of the courthouse and talked politics. I asked him for his prediction on the courthouse referendum, and he shrugged. He thought it would be dose, but that the measure would pass. As an afterthought he added, 'It really doesn't matter...one way or the other, we're going to have The Legislature of the state of Utah hereby finds and determines that local governmental services can greater economy and efficiency in providing be achieved in certain counties of the state by modernizing the existing form of county government in these counties to conform more closely to the needs pnri desires of their citizens. In order to accomplish this purpose; optional forms of citizen representaplans of county government embodying specified and allocation of for administration, the organization, tion, or specified forms or and both, may be proservices, governmental powers, duties, functions do so. posed, approved, and placed in operation in counties wishing to this courthouse." I was a little startled. Isn't that the issue we were voting on? David explained that the county had no choice but to build the annex jail, and that the vote would merely determine how the funds would be found to pay for it. As he said, "We can do it easy, or we can do it hard...it's up to the voters. The conversation degenerated from there. He and Manuel had informed me earlier that they no longer intended to participate in ZEPHYR interviews, explaining that an editorial I'd written questioning their commitment to education had offended them. They, like George Bush, see themselves as the "education commissioners." Didn't he think that the interviews were a public service, I asked? To the contrary, David replied, they are a detriment to the citizens. He believed that the landslide victory that David and Manuel received in the 1990 election gave them a mandate to run the county as they saw fit. Annoying "media" people like the ZEPHYR and Channel 6 merely confused the voters and made their jobs tougher. So, I asked, did he think we should pack up and go home, let diem "do their job" and check back with them in 1994? Always the candid commissioner, David grinned and said, "Something like local government to make The law provides specific ways of it more responsive to the citizens it serves.And the citizens have the options suit their needs best. It is opportunity to decide which the best example I have ever seen of "government BY foe people. Has there been any practical application of the law? Yes. In Cache County, voters decided in 1984 to abolish the "three commissioner government" with another type, as provided by foe law.By a vote of 14761 to 10070, that county endorsed a seven person "County Council" and a "County Executive." The Council members are elected by district, the County Executive is elected by the entire county. The Council members and foe Executive are elected to four year terms, but elections are staggered to provide the opportunity for change every two years. The Council is "vested with all legislative and policy making powers of the county." The County Executive serves as budget officer and has veto power over ordinances and budgets passed by the Council. That Veto, can, however, be overridden by "foe affirmative vote of five members of the Council." Checks and balances. That is what is so sorely lacking in Grand County and that is what this option can provide us. It distributes the power so that no one has the opportunity to be corrupted by itSince Council members are elected by district, representation becomes more direct. Finally, residents in Thompson Springs and Elgin and Castle Valley could have a direct voice in their government. By representing a smaller population, each Council member will be able to provide easier access for his or her constituents. When voters think their representatives are listening, they are more likely to participate, and shouldn't that be the goal of any government? ing that" I knew that behind his smile, David Knutson was completely serious. He : really believes that his victory gives him the absolute authority to make the decisions that he believes are best for Grand County. This kind of logic is ridiculous, of course, but unfortunately very common among politicians of any philosophy, liberal or conservative, when the power they have been entrusted with by the voters becomes a weapon instead of a tool. Within the framework of Grand County government the opportunity to abuse power is almost irresistible- - just two persons, a controlling majority on the commission, can make any decision it likes. Those who disagree have no options, except to wait for the next election. Until last year, two commission seats were up for grabs every two years, but the elimination of the two year commission seat no longer gives voters the chance to express their dissatisfaction with their elected officials in any way that is meaningful. Whoever is elected commissioner in 1992 will have no effect on the outcome of decisions made in the succeeding two years. The new commissioner will either represent an affirmation of the majority in power or a vocal but ineffective and meaningless protest vote by the opposition. No wonder citizens get apathetic. Defenders of the current system might argue that the President of the United States himself acts independently as the head of government and shares that power with no one. He, like the commissioners, is elected for four years, and nobody can do anything about that either. But the Founding Fathers were careful to establish a system of checks and balances within the federal government that prevents any person or group from acquiring too much power.Where are those checks and balances in Grand County's system of government? They simply do hot exist. What then can be done? A possible solution lies within the Utah State The most likely response by those opposed to this optional form of government will be that it is a sour grapes ploy by the losers of the last election and an underhanded way of power. I gave that notion some merit when I first heard it proposed a few weeks ago. And if this plan was offered as an idea of the local Democratic Party, I would be the first man to drop the idea like a very hot rock and run for the red rock hills. This has to be a effort. In fact, if we were to adapt this proposal, candidates for office would run on a basis, just like our current City Council elections. But to put fears of foul play to rest, we might want to consider the suggestion of City Councilman Dave Sakrison. Dave believes that now is a golden opportunity to seriously consider the consolidation of city and county services. If the county voters approved this plan, he believes that the current re-gaini- ng non-partis- an non-partis- an ' 259-203- 2 NEEDLES OUTPOST 259-854- 5 Canyonlands National Park - Needles District Located 34 miles west on Hwy 211 racvr -- only Z THE BEST BURGERS . WITHIN 75 MILES "gj -- r Legislative intent 17-35a- -l. Gas - propane Camping partial hookups 4x4 rentals Scenic flights Maps - books - information General store - snack bar Ice - cold beer pop Showers - firewood Jeep tours by reservation |