January 23, 2008

Four-One Votes

Been a lot of coverage lately on four-one votes at the Board of County Commissioners meetings. Some people are proud of being the one dissenting vote, some are pleased with the fact they can get the other three remaining commissioners to see it their way.

Truth is, over the course of the past 3 years all of the commissioners have found themselves on the short end of a four-one vote, as well as occasionally on the losing side of a three-two vote. A tally of the numbers will show the majority of our votes are unanimous, even with the high number of dissenting votes cast by the previous commissioner from District 2. It should also be pointed out not all motions are for approval, some are for denial.

Many of our votes are ministerial in nature, they recognize income, approve individual expenditures, renew liquor license and re-approve contracts for goods and services. Sure there are controversial issues that inspire passionate testimony from the public and lengthy discussion among the commissioners. Those are just as liable to end in a five-zero as not. But only because we listened to all the testimony and reached the same conclusions, not because of any particular desire to get along.

Having similar philosophical views doesnít mean we are ìa go along to get alongî group. All the commissioners have some Type A tendencies, or as my wife puts it ìcontrol issuesî, and we recognize we are going to see some things differently. We also recognize it takes two commissioners to put an item on the agenda and three votes to pass it. There are several revisions I would like to see in our Land Use Code but donít have three votes to get them accomplished at this time. I fully expect to accomplish those before I am out of office, but patience is a virtue, or so I am told. In the meantime I continue to work one on one with my fellow commissioners until the time is right to bring a proposal forward. That is just how the process works if you want to effect change.

As our newly appointed Commissioner in District 2, Amy Lathen, was recently quoted ìFive-zero votes are great, if they are in my favorî. I would guess on most five-zero votes we could all thank the other commissioners for voting with us.

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