No government by referendum

The commissioners now have the sole county-wide authority to levy taxes as elected officials and the funds are dispersed in accord to priorities and needs in the county. At this time, no other county-wide taxes can be levied. The Library Board would achieve elite status to satisfy its own needs and priorities, including facilities, without regard to any other county needs. The library board is proposing a major change in the operation of county government. It is petitioning for government by referendum as compared to government by election. When there is an election, the names of candidates, their credentials, policies and platforms can be considered by the electorate. Once elected, the officials can be re-elected or not at the next election according to performance as judged by the voters. With government by referendum, there are no elections and never will be as long as the referendum is not repealed. According to the best information I can gather, there are nine members on the library board and two of them are appointed by the commissioners. The remainder become members by appointment as chosen by the board itself. Nepotism, indeed. An elite group with exceptional, status as there are no elections or term limits once appointed. No chance of limiting taxing authority or terms of office by the voters unless the referendum is repealed. The referendum to be voted on Nov. 3 should be defeated by the voters to start with. It would be difficult to secure a repeal petition because opponents would lack a base of operations to obtain signatures the library board had with branch libraries for soliciting signatures. Vote for government by election by defeating the referendum from the beginning. Richard H. Siss Milford