The Citizen Advisory Committee on Commission Structure (CAC), a group of 40 concerned residents of Pickens County, has been meeting as a whole and as smaller subcommittees since late April. Their charge? To create the best multi-person commission form of government for Pickens County, a design to be either approved or canned by voters in the 2010 election.
But in these very early stages of discussions, one problem has become glaringly obvious. The vast majority of CAC members are from the east side of the county. Many live in Big Canoe or Bent Tree, raising concern that “native rural” voices (i.e. lifelong residents) will not be reflected in the commission structure legislation hammered out over the next several months. Of the 40 members of the CAC, only nine hail from western parts of Pickens County.
Based on a 2008 referendum, 78 percent of voters county-wide favored a change in government form. The change appeared to be equally popular in all areas of the county.
But as we now begin the process of creating a new government, if certain groups don’t become involved and offer their opinions, they risk seeing their views left out of the final product. And despite the previous popularity of a change, if large blocks of voters feel the new form is something created by others and then foisted on them, they will likely grow cool to it. We could see a rehashing of 1992, when a three-person format was overwhelmingly slapped down by voters––that is unless every countian gains a reason to believe the coming proposal was created fairly with input from all.
If, after all the discussion, we vote to stick with the single-man commissioner used by Pickens and eight other counties in the entire country, that’s fine. But it’s the duty of every Pickens Countian to at least consider the options.
There have been five subcommittee meetings to date, and the absence of west-side representation has come up time and again. While there are certainly efforts being made by the committee to elicit input from lifelong residents, it seems some CAC members doubt many natives will speak up. “We have to at least try to involve the west side,” several members have said.
There has been talk of holding two of the planned six public hearings in the Hinton/Jerusalem neighborhood to make it extra easy for those on the west end to attend.
One subcommittee member has predicted that when legislation for a new form of government has at last been carefully drafted, then, at the absolute tail end of the process, dissatisfied residents will parade in with their belated two cents.
Late arriving critics are less valuable than early-birds with earnest input.
While the CAC is no longer accepting new members, there are several opportunities for all county residents to have their voices heard. There are two rounds of public hearings, one in July and one in October. There are also full-committee and subcommittee meetings and forums with other Georgia county representatives. The public is encouraged to attend. Important CAC dates, along with recent stories and informative links are now posted at www.pickensprogress.com. Just follow the “Move to Multi-Person Commission” link/graphic.
One west–end member of the apportionment subcommittee who lives in the Ludville voting precinct (the smallest of precincts) suggested commissioners be elected by district rather than at-large to ensure eastern Pickens doesn’t control the outcome of elections. If every commissioner is a representative of the east side, she said, it’s not likely they would put as much priority on issues that concern people in her neck of the woods.
It’s a valid point. But with only 9 of 40 CAC members from the west side, and many committee members new to Pickens and lacking the “native rural” perspective, there’s a chance points like these won’t resonate as loudly as they should.
It’s not a time for procrastination. If you want elections at-large, go tell the committee. If you want a five-commission board with a county manager, go tell the committee. If you have suggestions for commission districts, go tell the committee.
Don’t wait until the last minute and get upset about the structure that’s ultimately chosen. This is a rare opportunity to help shape your local government, and native residents need to pipe up. |
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