From Stan Matthews
County Interim Information Technology Manager
The San Juan Council has scheduled time at 1 P.M. during its Tuesday, March 26 meeting, to discuss the possibility of placing two amendments to the San Juan County Charter on the November, 2013 ballot. The amendments would modify Charter changes approved by voters in the November 2012 election.
The recently adopted Charter Amendments change the size of the County Council and the method of electing its members. Under those changes, elections in April will select a new three-member council to replace the current six member council. Each member of the new council is required to live within a “Residency District,” however they are to be elected by voters county-wide.
The new proposed amendments, brought forward by Council Vice-Chair Rich Peterson, would, instead, create a five-member County Council with each member elected by voters who live within an individual member district.
Council Members Bob Jarman and Marc Forlenza joined Peterson in petitioning Council Chair Jamie Stephens for agenda time for the discussion.
This will be the “first touch” for the ordinance which would to place the issues on the ballot. If it moves forward, Council rules call for two additional opportunities for discussion, including a public hearing, before it could be adopted.
Copies of the proposed Charter changes and the proposed ordinance are attached to the March 26 Council Agenda online. (https://sanjuanco.com/council/displayagenda.aspx)
These guys sound like they’re more interested in their own job security rather than honoring the will of people who spoke with their vote in November.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think that the Charter Amendment proposals being discussed affect currently sitting Council members. I believe that the two additional Council positions would not be elected until 2014.
Hmmm….at this point I’m wondering how all those volunteers who served long and hard on the Charter review committee are feeling. The vote did not go completely how I wanted either – but it was voted in – by Islanders and it seems somewhat “usurping” to try and change things this way. Again the “Fear Dragon” raises it’s head and creates more chaos…lets just proceed with what was VOTED IN less than 5 months ago!
Marta Nielson