Consolidation: Our View

It has to be stressful to be a township supervisor or borough council member in Cameron County these days.

Pressure is mounting as Monday night's pivotal meeting draws closer.

There's no guidebook to show the way.

There's no consensus - and seemingly little interest- among your constituents.

You want to do the right thing for this generation and those that will follow.

Whichever way you vote, you'll be criticized and secondguessed for years to come and perhaps even judged by history.

And the clock is ticking.

With all the information, and lack thereof, surrounding the issue, it is our opinion that the clear choice is simple: LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE.

A decision as important as revolutionizing the local government should not rest in the hands of less than three dozen supervisors and council members. Those who will gather and vote Monday night will be directly affected by the outcome - an uncomfortable conflict of interest - since voter approval of the consolidation plan in November could cost them their jobs.

A few municipal officials have pointed out that "the people" are under-informed and could make the wrong decision out of ignorance or apathy.

History is replete with examples of what can happen when public officials act out of arrogance, elitism, or lack of respect for the democratic process. Admittedly, too few Cameron County citizens have taken advantage of the many opportunities they have had to educate themselves about the consolidation issue.

However, in their defense, the issue has never been - nor is it currently - in their hands. If those municipal officials who gather on Monday night are respectful enough of this country's tradition of representational government - "common wisdom," so to speak - we have no doubt that Cameron County will see a surge in citizen interest and involvement.

On Monday night, many of you will likely argue for or against the home rule charter and present some valid points. This debate should instead become a countywide dialogue, leading to a decision this November in which ALL of the people, and not just the chosen few, can have their say.

Your decision on Monday is NOT a vote in favor of, or against, the new form of government. You and thousands of others can cast that vote in November.

Instead, it's an affirmation of your respect for the American way: the right of the people to decide their own destiny.

Do you really feel comfortable deciding that for them?

We agree with Annette Campbell's opinion at the top of the page and believe she was hinting to a good old boy society that pulls the strings that bind everyone else.

But they can only get away with that when people ignore the issues, particularly one as important as this one.