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 to be either approved or canned by voters in the 2010 election.
But in these very early stages of discussions, one problem is becoming glaringly obvious. The vast majority of CAC members are from the east side of the county, many of whom live in Big Canoe or Bent Tree, and there is concern that the “native rural” voices (i.e. lifelong residents) will not be reflected in the commission structure legislation that will be 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 the people countywide favored a change in government form. The change appeared to be equally popular in all areas of the county.
But as we begin the process of creating a new government, if certain groups don’t get involved, offer opinions and speak out they risk not seeing their views incorporated in the final product. Despite the previous popularity of a change, if large blocks of voters feel the new form is something created by others and foisted on them, they’ll likely not be so keen on it. We could have a rehashing of 1992, when a three-person format was overwhelmingly slapped down by voters unless everyone feels it 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 everyone in the county to at least consider the options.
There have been five subcommittee meetings to date and the absence west-side representation has been brought up time and again. While there are certainly efforts being made by the committee to elicit input from lifelong residents it seems that some CAC members doubt many 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 six public hearings in the Hinton/Jerusalem area to make it extra easy for those on the west end to attend.
One subcommittee member has predicted that the legislation will be carefully drafted and then, at the absolute tail end of the process, residents who are dissatisfied 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 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 the precincts) suggested that 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, they most likely wouldn’t put as much priority on issues for people in her neck of the woods.
This is a valid point. But with only 9 of the 40 CAC members from the west side (many of whom are newcomers to Pickens, far from the “native rural” perspective) there is a chance points like these won’t resonate as loudly as they should.
This is no 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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