By Cathy Ward
Posted Aug. 24, 2014 @ 11:00 am
The Boone County Board likely made history on Aug. 18 at a special meeting, hastily called and not much liked by the packed house and five of 12 board members — and many seriously questioned the ethics of this meeting.
At issue was putting a referendum regarding building an animal shelter on the Nov. 2 ballot. As far as anyone connected with the Boone County Board could recall, no board has ever tried to call a meeting on such short notice on such a controversial topic which had never been debated in open session.
Board members learned of this special meeting on Aug. 15 at 4 p.m., when a notice came via email that four board members had signed to have a special meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 18. The meeting had to be Monday, you see, because the deadline for getting the referendum on the ballot was midnight Monday.
What bothered many of us was the fact that putting a referendum on the ballot has never been debated at any committee, had never been debated at any board meeting, and yet it was coming before us for a final vote just five hours before the deadline. Also, this notice came late Friday afternoon, giving very few taxpayers and those interested notice of the meeting. Not all of the dozens and dozens who packed our meetings have minute-by-minute easy access to email.
Board member Ron Wait took credit for calling the special meeting, saying he called nine board members, and all said they thought a referendum could be considered. He said that’s the way they did it Springfield.
Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier said the meeting was legal and putting it on the ballot was legal, too. I believe her. Michelle does her homework thoroughly and completely.
However, I believe there is a considerable difference between legal and ethical. I don’t consider this an ethical way to do business by elected officials for our taxpayers. Luckily, word spread to dozens and they came to see what our board would do. The vast majority were not happy by the results when the proposed referendum passed 7-5.
While I totally believe in referendums and have supported many, I don’t believe last-minute, down-to-the wire, hastily called meetings on topics never debated should be decided at the last minute at meetings called just hours before. Our people, the people we represent, deserve better.
Board members voting for the referendum were Chairman Bob Walberg, Vice Chairman Paul Larson, finance chairman Karl Johnson, Denny Ellingson, Brad Fidder, Chris Berner and Wait.
Board members voting no were Bill Pysson, Marion Thornberry, Craig Schultz, Ken Freeman and me.
The whole scenario was very disappointing.
I would not advise other boards to follow this tactic.
Read more: http://www.rrstar.com/article/20140824/Opinion/140829735#ixzz3BPZMzKlC
