Vote will garner best outcome
Steve Sauder - Emporia
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The question of Lyon County Extension’s desire to join the groups from Franklin and Osage County reached the boiling point last week when despite a load of public outcry our Lyon County Commissioners voted two to one to approve the merger.
This action brought on an editorial Monday in the Gazette by my friend Chris Walker. My thinking is Chris was a little hard on Commissioners Walters and Martin.
My first thought is what a difficult decision to oppose this it must have been for Scott Briggs. He is a farmer you know and Lord knows while he heard from lots of constituents opposed to the merger he also had many who think this was a good plan.
Now for Teresa Walters and Rollie Martin it appears to me that both, while understanding full well there was a lot of opposition to the plan, decided to vote “yes” which at the end of the day will let the people decide this very complicated issue.
If the commission voted “no” the merger idea would have been killed with no chance to learn more about the benefits or ramifications. Given the time it will take to carry a petition and vote we all should have an opportunity to learn a lot more about Extension, unlimited taxing authority and the supposed benefits of such a merger.
Chris suggested had the commissioners “campaigned on … giving entities unlimited taxing authority” it is doubtful they would have been elected.
Obviously Walters and Martin were putting what they think is best for Lyon County in front of their chances for re-election.
For me at least, that’s extremely refreshing and something we’d all like to see more often from elected officials.
Personally, I will likely sign the petition and then vote against the proposal unless and let me re-state “unless” more positive information is presented. Extension supporters will have some convincing to do with voters, but now at least, they will get the chance!
Once again our amazing system of laws is being tested and once again it looks like we will arrive at the best decision when after time to consider the facts has elapsed, those people who have taken on the responsibility register and vote will finally decide this issue.
Fortunately we don’t need to vote on all issues, but in this case voting will garner the best outcome.
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
What a poser!
January 12, 2012 at 9:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I would counter Mr. Sauders' s argument on just two points.
The amount of opposition to this plan was overwhelming, with several reasons given to the commission members.
The commission members were elected to represent the majority of their constituents, not "what they felt was best for the county themselves".
Given the opposition to this plan, the proper way for the commission to have handled this issue would have been to table it pending an "ADVISORY QUESTION" on the August ballot, and then taking the proper action according to the vote.
That would have also given the public time to learn about all the issues.
In the end this will come to a vote of the people this August due to a petition process started by people questioning the commissioners actions.
But the actions of Rolli Martin and Teresa Walters ignoring the taxpayers of Lyon County, may have done more harm to our county extension program than good.
February 2, 2012 at 7:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I agree with Steve, particularly with his final comment that the actions of Martin and Walters may have done more harm than good to the county extension program. Nonetheless, let the information flow so we are all informed fully.
What is more, what began as a small group of people who spoke out against the commissioners' votes, has turned into a full fledged grassroots effort in order to obtain signatures on a petition to put this issue on the public ballot.
And let us not forget that the number of signatures on that petition sends the most important message of all, that democracy is alive and well in Lyon County. This involves much more than a vociferous few, or as one has described us, "rabid dogs." That petition alone is a strong message indeed, it is the voice of the people.
February 2, 2012 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chalkrocks (anonymous) says...
That's an interesting, to say the least, spin that Mr. Sauder has put on this issue. I don't know how the whole process works of adding questions to the ballot but I am trusting that Steve Corbin is correct when he states they could have just tabled the issue and added it to the August ballot. Instead, it seems that the people have to go through a lot of work to get to a point where we have just the opportunity to vote on it. If the people fail in getting enough signatures, the "plan" that Walters and Martin had seems to fly out the window because then everyone is stuck with their decision. So, while I think that Mr. Sauder's spin on this is interesting and intriguing, I also find the logic extremely unsound.
Either way, it sounds like (fingers crossed) that the petition is going strong and the people will be able to decide. It is just too bad our commissioners failed us to begin with. However, silver linings are everywhere and maybe this event and petition drive will encourage more people to become active in their governments.
February 2, 2012 at 10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
chalkrocks,
If the commisioners would have tabled it and put it on the ballot in August, the vote would NOT be binding, but it would have given a more definite example of the peoples opinions. Something this petition will also do.
Sometimes our elected officials actually depend on voter apathy when they cast their votes.
Sometimes it works.
Sometimes it doesn't.
February 2, 2012 at 11:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I should clarify that if this now comes to a vote by petition the vote in August WILL BE BINDING.
February 2, 2012 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chalkrocks (anonymous) says...
I completely believe you but that seems kind of strange. So if the commissioners table it and it goes on the ballot it August and the people vote it either down or vote it in, then the commissioners would still have a say and could reverse course? Am I understanding this correctly?
February 2, 2012 at 2:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
chalkrocks,
Yep !
But not now. When this goes to a vote in August the outcome, either way will be binding.
February 2, 2012 at 3:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chalkrocks (anonymous) says...
That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. So much for the people's voice! That is about as backwards as it gets.
Oh well, we will get this thing to a vote and let folks decide.
February 6, 2012 at 11:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
The petition drive to put the resolution 1-12 on the August primary ballot continues. We are delighted with results to this point. We will be gathering signatures through February 24th. At that time we will be reviewing names/signatures to county voter registration list. Until that date we will be actively circulating the petition to our friends, neighbors, etc.
We're gratfeul for all the support the many volunteers have given to this effort. Without them, success wouldn't have been possible
Phil Dillon will be available at the County Courthouse annex on Friday February 10th from 11 am till 1 pm. On Tuesday, February 14th he will be in front of the old Shopper site at 718 Commercial St. He'll be scheduling other convenient places in the city to be available to those would like to sign the petition.
Peitions will also be available to sign at the Town Royal at 405 Commercial St.
Peition bearers will be also available in other parts of the county during this period
February 10, 2012 at 6:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )