Re: the shape of Latah County government

[Mayme Trumble <maymet@moscow.com>]

Bill, as usual, makes me think on things I would rather not bother with as
it seems so far from my day to day life. BUT is it?

Guess I maybe old fashion in that I want to VOTE for my officials.  I think
voting is still a good idea. It maybe more efficient to appoint these
offices but it also gives away an idividuals control over things that they
may not like. I want a sheriff that answers to me. .
Who is it that is proposing this change? I tend to agree that it may not
save money, although I do see how it could save time in getting things
accomplished. Personally I like things to change slowly. It gives us the
opportunity to check changes out.

If the commisioners are losing the day to day control of the county then
who is being preposed as doing the day to day stuff. How do our commisioner
feel about this preposal? Do they feel it is needed?

Please keep us informed on this.
I wish I had read David Johnsons article. Seems I miss a lot not getting
the Tribune.

Mayme Trumble

>I read David Johnson's piece on the front page of today's Tribune
>(Tuesday, Aug 11) about the county ballot measure about changing the
>form of Latah County government--and realized that I don't really
>understand whether or not this proposed change is a good one.
>
>Eliminating the election of sheriff and the other elected officials
>(except for commissioner and prosecuting attorney) would make things run
>more smoothly by eliminating separate bases of power.  But is a smoothly
>running county government, without the balances that independent
>officials provide to each other, really what we want?
>
>The jobs wouldn't be eliminated, they would just be made appointive
>instead of elected.  That wouldn't save any money.  Adding a highly-paid
>county manager would add a bundle to the tax bill.  But proponents of
>the option explain that "efficiencies" under the new system would save
>us tax money.  Would the commissioners, since they are losing the day to
>day responsibilities of county administration, take a cut in pay?
>
>I hope to read a spirited exchange on this topic on this list.  It seems
>pretty important to me--and a topic that I haven't heard much
>information about.
>
>BL
>
>
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