COUNTY: Lost on split decision

I support and always have the position of a County Manager. However, I strongly support keeping the elected positions in the departments that are currently being proposed to be “hired” department heads.

I understand the position that having hired officials would be a less cumbersome process. Government is not set up to be “easy” — it is set up to protect the monies and processes for the taxpayer; THE CHECKS AND BALANCE that elected department heads do.

Granted, commissioners have an unbelievable schedule requiring hours of reading, studying, comparing documents, proposals and endless discussing with other elected officials how to get to a solution. However cumbersome, it allows people who have been elected to speak about their department on behalf of those who elected them; it allows the VOTER TO BE HEARD, again and again.

All government needs checks and balances. I watched the system for almost 14 years. County commissioners have an almost unbelievable job to do when they are elected to the position but also do those positions they are proposing to be hired. We the voters need to remember we always need CHECKS AND BALANCE to our governing system. County Manager by all means, but keep those we now elect to continue. It is too bad we, at this time, cannot just vote to have a County Manager. But alas, it is all on the ballot to be all or nothing.

COLLEEN ALLISON

Coeur d’Alene