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05/11/2006: "Citizens Have A Right & Obligation To Critique Government"

Dear Editor

It seems unusual to be lecturing a member of the Fourth Estate on the responsibility to defend the rights and privileges of a representative democracy, but Sharon Kivisto's editorial ( "Who's Trying to Run the County" appeared in the San Juan Islander -Ed) reveals that her bias in favor of the political status quo trumps her responsibilities to her public constituency.

When San Juan County overwhelmingly voted in Charter government together with enlarging the legislative branch to reflect the one-man, one-vote principle, they also voted for the Preamble to the Charter, which states:

"We, the citizens of San Juan County, in order to secure the benefits granted to a Home Rule Charter County under the laws of Washington State, and to assert greater control over the actions of County government, adopt this Charter."

The wish to assert more control resulted from the fact that people were tired of the ineffective, inefficient county apparatus dominated by three politicians who too often ignored the will of the voters in favor of their own personal agendas. The County was addled by personnel lawsuits that chewed up taxpayer money needlessly. There was constant interference with administrative departments who had three bosses with conflicting demands. The Commissioners could not have a conversation on most topics outside of public session without violating the Public Meetings Act, which meant on-the-fly decisions made without appropriate deliberation, often frighteningly bad. Partisan divisions separated them. Pandering to individual island constituencies consumed them. The collective interests of the electorate were not being served.

Thus was born the Charter movement, the hallmark of which is a separation of powers between the administrative and legislative branches and a reduction in judicial powers, which means that the Council members' jobs have been reduced by roughly two thirds. By far the most time consuming piece, by their own admission, will be taken over by a professional County Administrator. It is a substantial reduction in power.

So far, the actions of the County Council indicate that they are not going into their new roles quietly. Despite the reduction in responsibilities and the fact that those responsibilities will be shared among twice as many as before, they are lobbying for full-time salaries. Apparently fiscal reality has not struck: this County cannot afford to pay six full-time Council member salaries as well as that of a County Administrator, nor was it envisioned by the Freeholders that it would. The idea was that a wider range of talented people who want to perform public service will be able to sit on the Council without having to give up their current jobs – a true citizens' democracy – and be compensated fairly for their work. (In Whatcom County, with a much larger population, the seven Council members each earn $16,000 annually.)

They continue to make decisions that make one aghast: The ADU ordinance that changes weekly, the Salary Commission debacle, the purchase of an expensive property mired in controversy over whether it can or cannot become a recycling site, the exclusion of other key or senior members of the County government - Human Resources Department, the Prosecuting Attorney's office, the County Administrator pro tem - from the first cut of County Administrator candidates on wholly specious grounds, are a few examples. The Council, fighting to maintain power and authority, seems intent upon undoing the spirit of the charter, since they cannot change the reality of it.

Ms. Kivisto believes that they should be left alone to do as they like without criticism or comment, simply because they were elected. She appears to have missed the obvious fact that the overwhelming vote in favor of the Charter government was effectively an equally overwhelming vote of no confidence in the current Council members. She would like the Charter to "stand alone," and indeed it will if her formula is carried out.

I have another interpretation of representative democracy. It is not only our right as citizens to critique our government, it is our obligation. Everyone has equal rights in this regard: though I would love to be able to attend to my full-time job instead of attending Council meetings, I believe I owe it to myself to insist on the government I voted for. If others oppose that point of view, they have every right to attend meetings, submit letters to the papers, write editorials. Why those in the Council chamber who are doing all of those things and more are regarded as renegades instead of responsible citizens, is a puzzle only Ms. Kivisto can solve. Surely we are not being paid for our time, we are not running for office, and, metaphorically speaking, we would all rather be sailing and doing what we do to contribute to the community in other ways.

But we did not work two years for the Charter government we gained in a free election to see it founder because those responsible for implementing it are not up to that responsibility. Ms. Kivisto would like us to "let go," although she would like us to "vote, use public access time, write letters, work on advisory boards, etc." which is what, if she hadn't noticed, we are all doing. Where is the "special access" in that?

There is only one way government works successfully: when it has the consent of the governed. That is the difference between power and moral authority. If there is any "demand" in this equation it is that politicians set aside their own personal agendas in order to fulfill their responsibilities to the people who elected and pay them. If it is unpleasant for them to endure criticism, they can seek another line of work. If Ms. Kivisto wishes to abdicate her responsibility in the once-esteemed Fourth Estate by defending the status quo rather than pointing out its shortcomings, she might wish to find another line of work as well.

Susan Robins
San Juan Island