I’m asking a question in the most public way I can because it needs a quick answer and I wonder why the answer hasn’t already been provided.
Who will represent District 1 from August 21 when Bobby Deschampe leaves until March 1, 2021, when a new commissioner is to be seated?
That’s seven months of NO VOICE let alone how many months before a new person can get up to speed. No voice on hiring or building. No voice in budget setting. No voice for too long in any year.
A special election is slated for February 2021 for this seat. A regular election will be held in November. Two commissioner districts are on the November ballot. Now, why can’t District 1 also be on that ballot? Special elections cost extra money, anyone want to guess that cost? $15,000!!
Why isn’t someone appointed interim commissioner? Aren’t the commissioners also concerned that the district will basically be left high and dry? Do they not want or need input from the east? Are they planning to be extra sensitive with all their years and past experience in assuring District 1 won’t be forgotten or neglected?
The potential for absent representation seems great enough that this 1/5 of the county could or should shut down what is done for the next year.
And so you say: appointing someone as interim commissioner isn’t much better. After all, what are they going to know? To which I suggest, they are at least interested in trying and that’s all any of us can do.
So, why can’t we expedite the process and get in sync with what is already scheduled to take place?
Guess that’s more than one question!
Arvis Thompson, District 1
Leave a Reply