Vote NO on Proposition #1
I have served on the Haines Borough Planning Commission for sixteen years. The commission has always been a diverse group that has worked to find common ground. Diversity is good. I have learned that people who may not share your political views often have experience that you don’t have, and often have good ideas. If boards and commissions are elected, their members will likely represent the political slant of the majority of the community and be less diverse.
All of the boards and commissions are advisory to the assembly, and their members are volunteers. All of the work they do can be, and sometimes is, thrown out by the assembly. The boards and commissions have little to no power.
An appointed board member is free to be independent and make up their own mind. If you are elected, there is a tendency to represent only those who elected you, especially if they have contributed money to your campaign.
Running for office takes time and money. Who will want to campaign for a volunteer seat on an advisory board?
The assembly should be elected. They decide how taxpayers’ money is spent. Boards and commissions? No. I’m all for democracy, but Proposition #1 will be a barrier to filling our volunteer boards and commissions. Please vote NO on Proposition #1.
Rob Goldberg