Editorial

Date: June 9, 2006

Rather than PDR, vote on supervisors

Thirty Washington County Supervisors are elected by the voters to take action on issues and make decisions that affect the quality of life in Washington County. The supervisors are assisted by full-time county departments who provide information to aid in the decision making process.

Information for decisions by supervisors is also gathered by public hearings or surveys and input from constituents. The voters, who would vote on a referendum, do not have the same resources available to educate them on the issue.

There is a cost to the taxpayers for the decision-making process. The longer the process goes on, the more indecision on the part of county supervisors, the higher the cost to the taxpayers.

The recent reconsideration of the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) issue only underscores the inability of the Washington County Board to take action on the PDR issue in an informed and effective manner. Several supervisors have insisted on reconsidering the March vote that approved this initiative and have suggested skirting their job as decision makers, by asking for a referendum on the PDR issue.

Perhaps a more appropriate referendum should allow the voters to question the need for 30 supervisors, who, as a group, seem to be unable to come to a decision on an issue they are better prepared to make than the general public.

Kay Wienke, Town of Jackson