Not The District Attorney!
Not The Sheriff!
Not The Board Of Commissioners!
Why, It's Us Isn't It?
So now, here we are faced with choosing the possible replacement for one of two of those County Commssioners that just faced a "Recall Election" and a third Commissioner facing, yet, another "Recall Election" sometime in early December and we, the one's these five serve, are going to be witness to these five Commisseioners, again, choosing and replacing themselves with their own choice without our direct involvement and approval other than some cursory verbal input that, recently, has not been heeded in any way whatsoever by most of these same officials?
I've got a poll over on the left here and I swear I have not tampered with it, says overwhelmingly, by those that voted, that those replacements should be chosen by a vote of the particular district constituents so, why is this not happening?
This may not be the process of our own County Charter but, isn't this the process for recall elections generally, throughout the state?
Regardless, this is one we all need to show up for to make sure the replacements are interested for certain to serve the interests of "Us", "The People" instead of particular agenda......really!!
12 comments:
So, the "people" are at the top, meaning the "people" are responsible for running the government. "People" is a key word, but so is "responsible". The third aspect is, of course, the idea of majority rule. That is not dealt with here.
That the "people" run the government (and are responsible for it) is easy to say, but how does it work? For example, when the people elect someone, are the people responsible for supporting the person elected, whether we voted for him/her or not? Or, should the people who did not vote for the elected person campaign to have them removed? Or, if some of "people" decide they erred, should they campaign for the elected person's removal, or wait until the "people" get to vote again at a regular election? On top of it all, why would a person who is not just hungry for power run for a local election in an environment where elected people are not supported by the "people"?
If this question is not resolved will have chaos (and will get to see if the people who did not support the people elected take responsibility for the outcome). Edmund Burke thought that the person elected was elected because of the belief's the elected person held and the elected person should vote those beliefs. That belief was held by Jefferson and Franklin as well. Obviously, that won't work in Clatsop County, so what is the answer to finding good people who are willing to be our representatives and keep them in office long enough for them to accomplish something good?
I've got a poll over on the left here and I swear I have not tampered with it, says overwhelmingly, by those that voted, that those replacements should be chosen by a vote of the particular district constituents so, why is this not happening?
Well, one reason is this is a blog-not a legtimate governmental entity, and two, it's one of your polls which means you have jacked it to suit your own delusional vision of how you think things should work in the real world.
Anothernonymous said:"Well, one reason is this is a blog-not a legtimate governmental entity, and two, it's one of your polls which means you have jacked it to suit your own delusional vision of how you think things should work in the real world."
Well.....as we've seen lately and since we are a "Home Rule", Quasi-Judicial, Non-Partisan County Government, which allows us, "The Voters of Clatsop County" to make our own laws, I believe that's what it says, that can be changed and yeah, you caught me, such a sleuth you are, packing a poll that I believe nobody really cares about with a whole 59 votes, is it, over the last 30 days.
And Charles, here's how it works, I think....."The Voters", in a "Non-Partisan Election" elect, for the good or bad, these Commissioners to "Serve" in "The Voters" interests and trust in the doing of "The Public's Business".
The assumption is we are electing people with the wisdom, background and common sense to weigh the issues that impact our future and life quality for the better and in the "Common Good".
I think the biggest weakness in that is "The Voters" do all that, think their job is done and then leave those individuals to their own devises for the next four years.
The qualifications for being a Clatsop County Commissioner requires that a person must be a qualified elector at the time of election or appointment, according to the state constitution, and must have resided within the district which he or she will represent for one year immediately preceding the election or appointment.
Interesting that, if elected, the person is not required to parrot any particular group.
Just serve the interests of those they are elected to serve and for little compensation as it is a stipened position at $800.00 a month Commissioner and $1000.00 for the Chair.
So, now you're in a postion of great power with little pay and you are sitting in judgement and apporval of "Big Money" stuff?
You gotta be one principled and committed individual to stay honest and serve you voters assure them a good quality of life don't you?
You're going to be the first target of a bunch of high rolling, well funded schemes. Can you resist?
You seem to be suggesting that the Commissioners (as well as all local officials) take money and other benefits from the "bunch of high rolling, well funded schemes." That is, of course, corrupt and criminal. Any evidence that happened with this Commission?
What I am suggesting, Charles, is that it is a tough as hell job that carries heavy responsibility with little material reward other than the satisfaction that one either truly served his/her community in their interest honorably for the true good and benefit of all or served for self-serving benefit and gain.
How would you serve Charles?
I have run for local government election and worked in government at many levels for about 35 years. I also worked a short while for the United Nations. Before that I served in the Army in Viet Nam (volunteered) and in the private sector. Currently, I am involved in three volunteer community activities that do not involve politics.
And you?
Me?
I am a citizen/voter of Astoria, Ward 4, Clatsop County, District 4, Oregon, United States of America.
And you would be Charles who?
My efforts at elected office were unsuccessful, but I believe that since I offered myself to give the voters a choice, I have earned the right to complain about those who won, when appropriate in my estimation. In other words, I think that if one believes the elected people are doing a poor job, one should offer himself as an alternative before one complains about the others.
From what you have said about how you serve, you do not hold to that belief, but I am not sure if your view is that anyone who can breath has earned the right to complain about elected people or if there is some other criteria.
Does who I am, other than Charles, make a difference to you? If so, why?
Actually, if you think hard enough, you will be able to discern who I am.
Public Servant: Noun - Someone who holds a government position(either by election or appointment)
Post a Comment