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Show THE ZEPHYRDECEMBER 1992 PAGE 10 what's next? a guide to the new form of government and where we go from here . by Ken Davey SO YOU WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE Your life seems complete bu- t- You seem to have it all, a family you're proud of, a good job, a number of interesting and rewarding hobbies and leisure time activities, most of which you aren't ashamed to admit to. But something is missing. One last piece to die puz2ie that would make your passage on this mortal earth worthwhile. You get into a discussion, at the counter of the Golden Stake, at a side table at the Downtown Kitchen, standing at Dave' s Comer Market waiting for the coffee to brew, and you notice that not only are people listening to what you say, but actually nodding in agreement as you say it It's a heady feeling, isn't it? They're hearing what you're saying, actually paying attention to your ideas, your logic, your conclusions. You policy-- .. If you had a know, if you had an opportunity to turn those ideas into a what mean dunce to show, in practice, exactly you You've been bitten by the bug of public service. Poor you. Because from now on, until the day you die, you will be a politician, that odd breed cursed in the newspaper letters to the editor, belittled by standup comedians. And yet the breed continues, nay, flourishes, in good times and bad. You are a politician, and there's nothing you can do about, no way in heaven or hell to exordse the spirit that has taken over your soul. Except one. You can run for office, and lose. That'll take the wind out of your sails, bring you bade to earth, give you peace of mind. It's your only chance. well-rounde- d There will be 5 council members elected as representatives of districts, as described on pages 7 of this paper. And all you have to do to get on the ballot is live in the district and get the signatures of 25 other registered voters within that same district to sign your nominating petition. You can get diem by talking to people at church, or an the job, or in front of the past office or supermarket. Or you can go door to door through die neighborhood, and after they sign you can discreetly pnjnt out how they should maybe mow their lawns or make sure their kids keep the noise down after 10 pm. And even if they don't vote far you, it will be worth die effort if it 16-1- leads to a quiet night's sleep. for the two at large seats. Normally that requires die Now, you can also run county-wid- e, signatures of 100 registered voters living anywhere in Grand County. But because this is an introductory offer, the change of government plan gives you a ONE TIME ONLY, TWO FOR ONE DEAL That's right every signature you get counts for two, so all you have to do is get 50, count 'em, 50 signatures, to get on die ballot SIGN 'EM UP But we're getting ahead of ourselves. schedule for the transition will be. The first thing to do is find out what the actual cm fTHE FUTURE an lHE FUTUKE...i Jfe - - YOU CANT WIN IF YOU DON'T LOSE In 1964, Barry Goldwater was a driven, harried ideologue, unable to rest until he purged the nation of the evils he perceived. By 1966, after being thoroughly smashed by Lyndon Johnson, he was a statesman, respected and admired, as the pop psychologists would say, centered. In 1976, 1 was relaxing in the student union building at Cal State Long Beach when George McGovern walked by. He noticed that I and two or three other students were watching him, and he smiled encouragingly, enough to draw us over to him, to find out what he was up to. And for about 15 minutes he talked with us, in a relaxed and comfortable way that showed he was content with his place in the world. Later that evening he spoke to an auditorium filled with people who responded to his lecture with respect and appreciation, even those who just a few years earlier held him in contempt. If, by some stroke of bad luck, he had not been resoundingly defeated by Richard Nixon four years earlier, he would have lost what was left of his hair, he would have seen a handful of young and not terribly impressive kids as potential enemies ra fiver than congenial conversation partners, and would have never considered an informal evening of exchanging views with a few hundred students and faculty. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter was hounded by Congress, five press, his political opponents. By the mid 1980s, Carter was working with Habitat for Humanity, building homes around five world for people who otherwise would never have the opportunity to hold a deed to a place of their own. And if you look now at Carter, you can see he is truly pleased with his place in the scheme of things, far more a man in control of his world than he ever was before he lost at the polls. Yet if any one of the three named above had not run, had not taken a shot at election or they would have been hounded by a constant internal chorus of "what ifs. They HAD to run, on a grand scale, five same way you HAVE to run, on a smaller yet elegantly important level, the level of county government. Well lucky for you, county voters have given you a golden opportunity. In the past, there have been only 3 county commissioners, which meant there could be only a few lucky losers. Now, voters have decreed that at least 7 of you have a chance to come out under the top. Losing a county coundl scat is a badge of honor you can wear forever. THREE INTO SEVEN GOES MORE THAN TWICE In their arguably infinite wisdom. Grand County voters dedded on November 3 to abolish the existing 3 member county commission and replace it with a 7 member county coundl The with salaries of $500 per month and no, repeat, no new council will be definitively part-timhealth benefits insurance, etc.) The aim is to attract candidates and rdtrement, (induding county coundl members who aren't looking for a free ride, but are truly committed to doing positive things for the county without regard for personal enrichment. That's good for you, because it means the races will attract high quality candidates, and you are less likely to get elected as the lesser of evils. But to be sure that happens, you should also encourage highly respected people to run against you. D.L Taylor, Peggy Nissen, Bill Meador, Maris Allen, Jim EnglehrlgM; Carrie Bailey, Bev Shaw, Don Knowles, Doric McDougald, Tom Stengel, and a few dozen others, all would have a good chance of winning, so do your most to get them to throw their hats into five e, ring. Anyone can run for county council, provided they are 1) registered voters in Grand County for one full year, and 2) able to obtain signatures of registered voters on nominating petitions. As of right now; THE PERIOD OF TIME OPEN FOR CITIZENS TO SUBMIT COMPLETED PETITIONS FOR NOMINATION WILL BE DECEMBER 6 THROUGH DECEMBER 15. But you can, and should, actually start gathering the signatures before that The forms will be available from the county derk's office. The people working in the derk's office are paid to help county residents, as are the employees working in the county attorney's office. So if you have any technical or legal questions, by all means call on those people who work for you to provide five answers. Since this is a new deal for the county, all the rules and procedures are not yet worked out But as of now, it looks like general guidelines of other petitions acceptable in Utah will apply here, and that means that residents will generally be allowed to sign a petition for just one candidate for every seat up for a vote. In other words, each voter can sign a petition for one person running in their district, and two petitions, since there will be two open Beats. That means that while district candidates only need 25 signatures, and candidates need only 50, the wise thing to do is to collect as many as twice that number, to take into account people who think they are registered but aren't, or have moved since they last voted, or have signed other petitions already submitted. The leaderships of the Democratic and Republican parties both opposed the change of government initiative, and voters showed how much weight the leaderships of the Democratic and Republican parties cany. Nevertheless, these groups, embarrassed and humiliated as they are and should be, can be powerful organizational tods in your effort to lose the election. They can endorse your campaign, they can circulate petitions for you, they can raise money for political advertising. So go to their meetings, talk to their chairs and vice chairs, and drag them into the campaign with you. If nothing else, your interest will cheer them up; they don't fed at-lar- ge at-lar- ge very popular right now. You will also have an opportunity to get your ideas out to the public through the media. Both the Times Independent and the Zephyr are expected to provide space to candidates at no charge, either for written statements or through interviews. Take advantage of the openings. And encourage the League of Women Voters to hold candidates forums on the various races. And Channel 6 will also give candidates time to discuss, debate, agree and disagree with others in the race. , ? . , .. j - w ' ? .... .. - - - ' ROUND ONE The petitioning process is so dean, so easy, that many may be encouraged to get into the race. And that could mean a primary election. If more than 4 people rign up for the two positions, or if more than 2 people sign up for any individual district race, there will be a primary election. THE PRIMARY, IF NEEDED, WILL TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 5, 1993. That will provide you with the first opportunity to leave the race a graceful and dtgntfiad loser. If, however, the voters see something in your campaign, you become a victim of file feared "electoral momentum" syndrome, where voters actually look at you as a possible leader, in which case your expectations rise to new heights, and your eventual fall is exquisitely more bittersweet ! at-lar- ge and fulfilling ' ROUND TWO The hardy survivors then charge on to the general election. THE FINAL VOTE WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 9, 1993. If you've made it this far, it is time to plan your election night . |