Some astute visitors to Wrongmont.Com (aren't they all?) voiced their concerns about the possibility of a costly special election to backfill a city councilmember seat. As some of you have probably read, three current council members are running for Mayor. If Roger Lange or Karen Benker win, their seat will become vacant and since there is a specified amount of time left in that position, another election must be held to fill it. This could cost between $50k and $100k at a time when we're hearing about shortfalls in revenues and cuts in services in the city.

The third councilmember running is Doug Brown, who is being term-limited out of office. (Campaign Manager hat on: Doug, how often can politicians say they'll save you money and/or save some city services if you "vote for me", and really mean it, and can deliver on it? Okay, hat off). If Mr. Brown wins, basically the city saves a bunch of money. But there's a two thirds chance we'll be forking out for a special election. Since I'm sure it's part of the city charter, there's not much we can do about it. The only future options are to not allow current council members to run for Mayor, or to not backfill vacant seats, whether due to promotion (to Mayor), sickness, or death. I don't see either of those options as realistic, so we're stuck with what we have.

This got me to thinking about another costly ballot situation: The Union/LifeBridge annexation issue. Here we're being asked, no, told, that we must pony up somewhere between $60k and $100k to put on the ballot a question of overturning a city council decision to annex this development into Longmont. This is not an up/down decision on whether it should be built, just if it should be part of Longmont. That's an important distinction. I'll assume the petition gatherers made that clear to the people who signed it.

One of the petition gatherers said " the buck and a half it would cost per voter is a rare bargain to have the community speak on so significant a question." Up until now I was pretty much staying out of this issue, but some of these people's comments and tactics can't go unchallenged (and no, I'm not a member of Lifebridge). Where to begin with this claptrap. First, 6,000 people signed this, that's what, less than 10% of the population in Longmont? Yet they have the right to charge the rest of us a " buck and a half" for anything? Who died and declared you...well I better not say "God" that might offend them. How about we divide the fee amongst the 6,000 petition signers, that's only somewhere between $10 and $17 each, what's the problem?

Second, that's not just a charge " per voter", that's something everyone who pays sales and use taxes will pay for. People complain about elected officials unfairly raising taxes, how about a small minority of unelected citizens? Is that okay?

Third, although I may at times disagree with council votes on issues, they were legally elected to represent us. How long has this been going through all the processes required? This wasn't just sprung upon the poor, unwitting citizenry. And the vote wasn't even all that close, 6-1. But some people didn't like it. Well, I don't like a lot of decisions they make, does that give me the right to force the rest of the city residents to pay for it? I don't think so. Lastly, I suggest you Google "union annex", and visit both sides' websites and educate yourself. Check the maturity level, and if you're easily offended, don't bother. That is, unless they start deleting.

I'm not saying you should vote for or against this ballot question, I'm just pointing out that IF this makes the ballot, the damage's already been done financially to an already weak city budget. I better not hear these same types complain when the city cuts another $60k to $100k worth of programs and services. At least we know in part who to thank.

©2007 Chris Rodriguez/Wrongmont.Com
(Chris Rodriguez is a Longmont resident, and the editor and publisher of Wrongmont.Com, a community website that raises local issues to increase public awareness and interest)