As one of over 100 candidates for freeholder last year, I wrote, “I support a charter that retains our county’s unique character, increases the voice of all the people, includes robust checks and balances on elected officials, initiative and referendum powers, and a larger commission.”
I was not elected, but I found after reading the proposed charter that it contains all the elements I wanted to see. It has limits on executive powers such as an “at-will” requirement for the county manager’s employment. It has the broadest possible initiative and referendum power available to any county under the state constitution, along with a balance of county and district-based representation, which I think will serve us all well.
I was particularly pleased with the humility implied by Article 9 of the charter, which requires that it be reviewed after five years by another elected commission. Combined with the powers of initiative, referendum, and recall, the freeholders have created something that will significantly increase the voice of all the people.
Therefore, it is easy for me to support the charter’s passage. I encourage all voters to read it, decide for themselves, and vote this November. Above all, that vote is our voice.
