Public outwitted by CRC promises | Letters
December 19, 2012 · 10:30 AM
Most people don’t get involved with politics and then complain about what their elected representatives do because they either voted for them along party lines or just “liked them.”
Well, our recent Charter Review Committee laid it on the citizens that with three council members and less representation we would get a much more representative and a less expensive council.
They said a lot of other things at the meeting that I attended that also were not true. But of course, only a handful of citizens showed up at those meetings and I guess they told a better story to the public than those in favor of the alternative.
One thing the public didn’t understand was that the representation of Lopez, with one council member and one-sixth of the population of the county, now gets the same representation as either San Juan or Orcas.
And for cost, the three new council members that will make $74,000 each equates to an increase — not a decrease in cost — of about $20,000.
Unfortunately, we have no fact checkers in the county and sadly few people involved in the body politic.
I hope when the charter is again reviewed that the citizens will be more circumspect. On the other hand, my best to the new council, and may they govern in an efficient and effective manner.
Walter Corbin/Orcas Island
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