You may remember the confusion and chaos which had escalated prior to Home Rule, when the Board of County Commissioners wore all the hats. Our prior governmental system was established in the 1800’s when the commissioners were elected to simply oversee the roads. Things have changed since then – notably we now have a $45,000,000 County budget, which necessitates professional management.
The Home Rule Charter we adopted in 2005 embraced the sound federal and state principle of separation of powers. The Charter created three efficient branches of government – the Legislative branch to create the laws (County Council); the Executive branch to carry out the laws and manage the county (County Administrator); and the Judicial branch to interpret the laws (Hearing Examiner).
Unfortunately, some members of the CRC want to take a giant step backwards. Proposition 2 would annihilate the constitutional principal of Separation of Powers. The power granted by the citizens to the Administrator would be given it back to the Council. This is a really bad idea.
These are not the old days. Citizens deserve to have one professional individual at the helm who has the education, background and credentials to properly run our county. This individual must be given the power to carry out the laws. It is unfortunate but true that the former BOCC refused to cede power to the Administrator, but these things take time. As Pete Rose said, six years is the blink of an eye in government. Give it time. It is working. It will work even better when new council members are elected this fall.
Please do not give the Council the power to micro-manage county department heads. The Council must stay out of day-to-day county business. It did not work then and it will not work now. What successful company is run by three Presidents?
Separation of Powers is a sound principle. Please reject Proposition 2. We must move forward, not backward.
Stephanie O’Day
San Juan Island
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
Well said, Stephanie. Separation of power is indeed essential to good governance. SJC must continue the forward progress laid out by the Freeholders, and its citizens can help in this cause by voting NO on Proposition 1 AND Proposition 2.
The only problem with the way it is now is that if you hire the wrong person you have no redress.
When I moved here 19 years ago it took two to three months to get a building permit. Contractors tell me it can take three times as long now. I never understood why if you have building plans stamped by a Washington State architect and engineer the County has to go over these plans. A sight plan should be gone over making sure you have the proper zoning, septic, water and set backs etc. Think of the money we would save.
Who reading this does not have at least one simple idea for the roads department, whether it be more signs for the tourists pointing to the ferry or a left turn lane at a corner where most traffic goes straight but has to wait on the car that is turning. How about a parking garage underneath the park by the outdoor stage on Orcas. O wait that would entail cooperation between the Parks department and Public works. I could go on and on but I have reached the limit.