RE: Optional Forms of Government

[Kenneth Gallant <gallantk@uidaho.edu>]

Here are a few reasons to vote *for* the optional forms of county
government:

Do you want law enforcement decisions dictated by partisan politics?
Right now, the sheriff is elected on a partisan ballot.  While a county
may sometimes get an experienced, competent law enforcement officer that
way, there's a good chance that politics will play an unwonted role in the
choice, and the decisions that are made by a sheriff leading up to the
next election.  This is not a criticism of the current sheriff--its just
that the current structure encourages the possibility of partisan law
enforcement.  Under state law, the county cannot add any
requirements--such as law enforcement experience--to the very broad
standards of who can run for office.
No city that I know of elects its police chief--and for exactly this
reason.  The only reason that sheriffs continue to be elected is
tradition--the office was set up this way in most states early in the
country's history.
That's why the county government reorganization proposal has an appointed
sheriff.

Do you want your property taxes determined by partisan politics?
Right now, the assessor is elected on a partisan ballot.  The issue is the
same:  a county will sometimes get a competent, fair assessor, but the
system encourages the possibility of partisan tax assessment.  Again, no
criticism of our current assessor--but no guarantees of the fairness of
any future, partisanly elected assessor.  Again, so long as the office is
elected, there is no guarantee of qualifications--if we switch to an
appointed system, specific qualifications can be required.
That's why the county government reorganization proposal has an appointed
assessor.

You can go down the other offices that would  be appointed under the
reorganization proposal:  clerk of courts, county clerk, treasurer (which
would
become part of the assessor's office), coroner.  None of them have
functions appropriate to being chosen through partisan politics.  All of
them are likely to be better filled on a regular basis when qualifications
are directly considered.

More reasons at another time . . ..

Kenneth S. Gallant
gallantk@uidaho.edu