Charter Thoughts by George Robison
In reviewing comments made by John Ladenburg and several County Council members, it seems to me that there should be a provision in the charter that the County Executive is to sign contracts only after funding and contract terms have been approved by the council. The News Tribune reported last week a Ladenburg comment that council members needed to keep in mind that the County Executive was the only one authorized to sign contracts and that he therefore had the right to go ahead and sign golf course related contracts even though the council had not acted to fund them.
The Sheriff should be elected so that the office is responsive to the public. An appointed person needs only satisfy the appointing authority. The office should be subject to direct scrutiny by the taxpayers or provide funding and not be subject solely to the County Executive.
George Robison, Gig Harbor
posted by Kelly Haughton @ 10:08 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
It could be argued that the Sheriff already is accountable to the voters, albeit indirectly. We elect the county executive, so if we don't like his apointees we could simply elect someone else.
It could also be argued that making Sheriff an elected position would encourage the Sheriff to pander to public opinion rather than strictly enforce the law.
I don't necessarily disagree with you on this subject, but someone's got to ask the questions.
As for your other recommendation, I absolutely agree. The county executive should not be able to sidestep the county council and commit the county to pay for things.
We have an appointed sheriff because of the Janovich scandal. He was our last elected sheriff. I don't think that we should change this yet. That scandal was the impetus to creating a new form of government in Pierce County. Ask the members of the new Charter Review Commission who were there then to learn about our history, not to just repeat it.
Using the logic of "Anonymous", because of blatant dishonesty in office we should now elect the FBI Director and appoint the President.
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