President Thomas Jefferson
I would like to offer another point of view to go along with that which has been set forth by some. I would offer the perspective that the annual township meeting is exactly the right place and time for the citizens of a township to come together and debate the issues and business of the township. I add that when the township is made up almost entirely of the citizens of one municipality, then the business and issues of that municipality are viable and vital to the discussion of the citizens gathered for the annual meeting. I disagree that this is a “back door maneuver.” I submit for consideration that Thomas Jefferson may have considered it the front door.
Thomas Jefferson was a great proponent of township government. Consider this quote of Jefferson’s from a letter to Mr. Cabell in 1814:
“There are two subjects, indeed, which I shall claim a right to further as long as I breathe: the public education, and the sub-division of counties into wards (townships). I consider the continuance of republican government as absolutely hanging on these two hooks.” — Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 1814. ME 14:84
I suggest we consider that the annual township meeting is the last outpost of true direct democracy we have in the United States. Where else can citizens come together from one local area and discuss and vote on relevant issues that concern them. I say we should not stifle such debate nor should we try to obstruct the will of the people in any way or form when it comes to an orderly weighing of issues that are relevant to the citizens of a township.
I suggest we urge all citizens who believe in the truest form of democracy to gather in the small township building Tuesday night. Let the issues be raised. Let all who have something to say be heard, and then let each vote his or her conscience. After all isn’t that what democracy is suppose to be. We should not have issues shouted down before the people have had a chance to hear for themselves both sides of any issue that is of concern. I suggest it is never a waste of time to hear what is on the minds and in the hearts of the citizens who share a common ground, who share in one community?
Thomas Jefferson again:
“These wards, called townships, are the vital principle of their governments and have proved themselves the wisest invention ever devised by the wit of man for the perfect exercise of self-government and for its preservation. “ -1816
I say come out Tuesday night and participate in democracy while it still exists.
Dan Kenney
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8 Comments
Here is something off the “Chronicle’s” comments that I think is worth repeating:
“Ed P., DeKalb, Il (75446) wrote on April 10, 2012 6:26 p.m. …
Backdoor method. How about this for a backdoor method. If the voters elect to maintain the Clerk’s position as an elected position than the council will get their way by not funding the position. Talk about a back door way to overrule the will of the voters. The council is backdooring their will over the voters by not funding the Clerks spot”
Thanks to everyone who showed up at the township meeting tonight. Townships are the purest form of democracy, and I bet more people will pay attention to them in the future. I bet there were people who attended tonight who never set foot in the township building before. More people certainly have an awareness of the power that regular citizens have through the institution of the township.
Townships are important. Townships should not be abolished.
And,
I have real concerns about gay rights, about women’s rights to choose, gun control, affordable housing, job training programs, numerous sewer issue and on and on. Should these be also brought up at the township?
If only complicated problems did allow for simple solutions that world would be better off. But they don’t. Representative democracy allows and mandates longer term discussion of issues not spontaneous emoting by those whose major contribution is often to encourage alienation through demeaning those with whom they disagree.
Note how in many blogs this issue has been framed. Those using the backdoor township approach call it democracy and then label those of us who dare to disagree as ‘lackeys’. Those supporting the use of the township ignore that 1300? plus people are not in the city but would get to vote, yet on another issue complain that the redistricting of the city changes when (by chance) about 1300 people get to vote. This is not advocating democracy this is political expediency, the use of the same tricks that we all condemn in the state legislature.
My only hope is that this effort will reactivate the work at the state to make it illegal for a governmental body to vote on issues not germane to that body. That bill received almost (1 dissent) 100% support in the House but wasn’t brought up in the Senate.
Herb
Herb , these issues are germane to the the Township. The last time I checked the a vast majority of City of DeKalb lies within Dekalb township. Most residents in the city of DeKalb live within DeKalb township. Also worth noting these advisory referenda are “ADVISORY” they are not policy.
You are mixing apples and oranges when you bring up the city’s redistricting plan. This plan will become LAW if approved. There is a difference here. So stop trying to trick people. And yes, many residents will not be able to vote for there Alderman for a period of six years. That’s why I advocate the city do as the county board is doing, hold elections for ALL municipal officers (Clerk, all seven Alderman and Mayor) in 2013. It would be the only fair way since this will become law. I’m sure I will see you at tonight’s city council advocating such a position….NOT!
Name one time the state legislature steps aside and lets the electors have their meeting, determine their agenda and vote with authority on the action items. It doesn’t happen.
Rubin is distorting what a back door referendum is and he is doing so deliberately, to mislead.
What he has done is strengthen the resolve of several who want to see a revoke home rule initiative on the November ballot as a binding referendum.
The advisory referendum proposed by Charvat would allow the issue to be debated but also push any binding referendum attempt to the Spring 2013 elections.
Herb,
The three township issues mentioned are germane to the township and city. I would argue the issues of Home Rule and form of municipal government in any city or county can, in fact, be of great affect to other surrounding governmental entities by the one instance at least, of TIF programs and the various tax supported projects cities pursue knowing they can provide tax-based financing through TIF. Linkage to other outlying governments comes by way of (for one major instance, there are others) school districts, which often overlap from one city/town to the next. DeKalb District 428 is such a district, levying taxes from three towns, part of the county, and many townships. Equalized Assessed Property Value (EAV) and hence the amount of tax money which can be generated, is greatly influenced by TIF and other development programs which frequently are instituted by cities, towns, and other governments. Considering public schools levy almost three-fourths of one’s property tax bill, both public schools and private property owners are greatly influenced by development issues and their immediate and eventual affect on EAV. I could go on, but it is clear to me these issues are very much relevant to all nearby city and township residents. As long as Home Rule is in place, combined with an autocratic and secretive leadership, taxes can continue to go up without direct participation of area residents. And they are clearly already too high for many. That is not a representative democracy or republic in my book. Talk about end runs or back doors, Home Rule often provides such a system. Home Rule and TIF are very much two-edged swords, dangerous tools in the wrong hands. Its my hope that all citizens are interested enough Tuesday to show up and vote their conscience at the township meeting. Even better, wouldn’t it be wonderful if the DeKalb City Council had the guts to put these issues on their next ballot for a binding vote?
When the good people of DeKalb wanted chickens, did their homework, took petitions around, and went through the city’s front door, the city ignored 400+ citizens in one fell swoop.
If Herb is against anything, it must be a good thing.
A happy go lucky Herb Rubin approached me before tonight’s meeting. It was the first time we’ve met since he told his last lie. I told him, slightly paraphrased, to remove his slimy SOB self from my presence. I apologize for not using stronger language.
Naturally he went whining over to Mayor Povlsen to complain. The Mayor chastised me for whatever Rubin said I told him. I disagreed and chastised the Mayor for approaching me during the meeting while the moderator was giving direction.
People tell me the Mayor was making childish faces at me when I turned my back to walk way. Other than that I thought our disagreement was civil.
I don’t think I like the new Kris Povlsen. Or is this the real Kris Povlsen?
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The pro-egg hen folks tried the front door and just where did that get them?
Nowhere, and the mayor stifled any future discussion. The voices of over 400 citizens became silent.
If I hear “back door” one more time, I think it will be time to start making references to the city needing an enema.
There is limit to just three questions like this at the township, otherwise, there might have been two other topics under consideration.