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November 07, 2006
A Last-Minute Amendment and Ordinance Refresher
You're probably fairly confident about who you are going to vote for on today's ballot, but are you as confident about what you are going to vote for?
Here's a quick recap of Joe Lance's suggestions regarding the amendments and ordinances of your ballot:
Constitution Amendment OneI don’t guess there’ll be a “Hell, No” option, so a No vote will have to suffice. Contrary to what you may be thinking, the reason is not simply that I am a big supporter of gay marriage. I do happen to believe that homosexual marriages should be granted the same legal status as heterosexual marriages, but that’s not the point. The trouble with this referendum is its intended abuse of the state’s constitution for such a shortsighted and benefit-bereft end. No one has been able to demonstrate how society will be damaged if this amendment isn’t adopted.
Prediction: This, too, shall pass.
Constitution Amendment Two
Or, the forgotten ballot measure. Do the votes count if not many people realize what it is they’re deciding? When I last looked at this it seemed harmless enough, but since then debate points have been raised that put me at “less than decided.” In keeping with the principle outlined above, is this something that makes it worth changing our state’s foundational document? I’m probably sticking with my Yes vote because passage would open up tax-freeze decisions to local control (provided a bill were to pass in the General Assembly), but I can still be convinced otherwise until I darken that oval next Tuesday.
Prediction: Fails due to a low vote count.
Ordinance 11872: Yes, change how board replacements are made so that the remaining board members don’t just pick their buddies; but then let’s hold the current and future mayors’ feet to the fire so that they don’t just pick their buddies instead.
Ordinance 11873: Yes, untie the City Engineer position from the potential for crony appointment by a new mayor coming into office.
Ordinance 11877: No, keep city government positions, even those not popularly elected, from being occupied by those who hold other offices. Encourage more citizen participation in local government by keeping these positions out of reach of those already serving in a different capacity. Speaking of double dipping, voting this proposed ordinance down also helps prevent the undue influence of people holding contracts with the city.
Politics | By colrus | 10:51 AM
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