Preserve representation...
Oct 25, 2012 | 284 views | 0 0 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend | print
It is commonly said that a pessimist sees the glass as half-empty, while an optimist sees the same glass as half-full. The residents of Grand County are a diverse, resourceful, and energetic group of people, who are inspired by our beautiful scenery and vital community, and who, I believe, are usually in the “glass is half-full” category.

A notable exception to this general rule is the leadership of the Grand County Republican Party; they see the glass as theirs. They seem to believe that they own the glass and everything in it and are not willing to share.

The fact that Grand County residents have more freedoms than most Utah citizens, such as being able to run for county office without the permission of the party bosses, and being able to recall public officials if they behave badly in office, really galls the Republican leadership. It is all about power.

Right now, political power in the county resides with the people. Any change in our form of government will take that power and move it to political parties, and the freedoms we voted to create for ourselves 20 years ago will disappear.

The abuse of power and shady dealings by the old three-member Grand County Commission back in the 80s and early 90s has been well documented by other letter writers. Those letters serve to remind us of the lessons of the past, but our future is what is at stake now.

In the future I would like to continue to have the freedom to run for county office without begging permission from party leaders; I would like to continue to have the freedom to recall elected officials if they are incompetent or corrupt; and I would like to continue to be represented by both district and at-large county council members.

To preserve your freedoms and representation, vote no on the ballot initiative.

—Jeff McCleary

Moab
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