By Theo Stanley
Most citizens of Coos County are too busy with their normal lives and are unable to attend commission meeting. Those that do make time are now labeled “the noisemakers” by Mr. Barton. These “noisemakers” are citizens expressing their constitutional rights to express their opinion on how they are governed and how the County manages it assets. It is “noise” because no one is respectful enough to listen to individuals that take the time to get involved and express an opinion. “The ultimate objective was to get a professional administrator to run the day-to-day affairs of the county because the commissioners are, first of all, not well-qualified to administer a government of that size and complexity,” Barton said. I find it strange how these unqualified elected officials are qualified to hire a professional administrator that is not responsible to the citizens of the County. This same professional administrator would hire all individuals currently elected except for the Sheriff and Commissioners. He would also have “golden parachute” attached to his employment contract. “I think home rule is a good thing,” said Commissioner Melissa Cribbins. “It reflects the individual characteristics of a county. But I’m concerned in this case that it’s small groups of people with individual interests.” The charter’s specificity also makes Commissioner John Sweet think it’s geared toward individual interests, rather than countywide needs. Mr. Sweet also claims “it’s attempt to undermine the concept of representative government.” I say just the opposite is true. It requires that our elected representatives be responsible and responsive to the citizens that elect them. I challenge anyone to find any item in the charter that would benefit any one special interest group. There are no “special interest” groups funding this issue. It is strictly a “grass roots” movement. How Herne and Bell are doing it, by putting it to the voters is the only method that private citizens can address the issue under state law. “The current board of commissioners has repeatedly denied Herne and Bell’s requests to consider their charter specifically.” “Voice of the Voters” is the only avenue citizens have to give guidance to the commissioners on how they (the citizens) are to be governed. Respectfully, a Coos County Concerned Citizen,