| The Freeholders have released a draft of a Charter for Kitsap County, (www.kitsapgov.com/freehldr), that is well done and makes our County government more representative to the citizenry, improves efficiency, restores county employee morale, establishes the citizens additional rights for better control of our County government, and will suit us well for the 21st Century.
The expansion of the Commissioners to five separate districts, nominated and elected by district, gives the entire county better representation and takes the big money out of the Council race. As it stands now a candidate has to raise money and run a campaign in all three districts.
The Freeholders recognized the need for by district elections for the Council and countywide election for the executive position. This brings more of the peoples voices to the table when making ordinances, adopting policy, budgets, audits, and other legislative duties. The executive, who will actually implement the legislative ordinances, will be elected at large since the duties are countywide. It’s a great form of checks and balances.
The Freeholders have included the right of initiative, recall, referendum, and a mini-petition provision that allows the voters to petition the Council to hold a public hearing and act on a proposed ordinance. Included also, are a Code of Ethics and performance audits.
Thank you Freeholders, for your hard work producing a Charter that is exceptionally well conceived and will serve your fellow citizens for years to come. The Commissioner system we use now is broken and this new Charter is the fix.
Robert Knight
Kingston. |
