Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Dwyer:in a representative democracy, it is well within the bounds of elected officials to enact a tax if they deem it necessary.

KVAL 13--

Saturday’s petition drive to place the newly enacted income tax on the ballot has collected 800 signatures more the 5,577 needed. "Our goal is to get this on the September ballot so that people can choose whether or not they want to pass the tax, (again)" said petition organizer Lauren Later
"The people of Lane County have spoken here, and the biggest asked question off all the signing locations on Saturday was 'where's the recall?'" said tax opponent Bob Hooker.
for commissioners to be eligible for recall, a commissioner must be six months into his or her term before recall effort can be initiated. Currently, Bobby Green is the only commissioner who is eligible to for recall at this time. Commissioner Faye Stewart and Bill Dwyer would not be eligible for recall until July.
Dwyer says he isn't worried about a recall. He dismissed the petitioner's claims that it was undemocratic for the commissioner to enact the tax, arguing that in a representative democracy, it is well within the bounds of elected officials to enact a tax if they deem it necessary.
it would require 4,274 signatures to initiate a recall and would cost the county as much as $50,000.
okay, is it just me, or is Bill Dwyer's comments smug. He argues that in a representative democracy, that it is well within the bounds of elected officials to act if THEY deem it necessary... think about that statement for a minute.

3 comments:

Bobkatt said...

Mr. Dwyer's comment sounds like a challenge to me. While he may be correct that it is "within the bounds of elected officials to enact a tax", it is also within the bounds of the electorate to recall his sorry butt. If we have to wait until July, so be it.
My hat is off to Mr. Hooker and his group of volunteers for the way they organized the petition drive that not only made it convenient but effective by having a one day multiple site turnout. I appreciate the fact that I was able to easily get to my nearest site and sign in less than 10 minutes and not have to drive around trying to find someone with a petition. Thanks to Robin for keeping us up to date on this issue and providing the info.

Robin said...

you're welcome.

I believe it's important to keep the momentum going, not just for the local income tax issue, but to send a message that the people are no longer going to tolerate our representatives (gag) acting against the will of the people without consequences.

Anonymous said...

In my humble opinion, Mr. Bill Dwyer has been NDG in any position he has held. He is way too liberal, hasn't come up with a good idea in years, and in July, he should encouraged to retire.