Protect the voters

To the editor,

It is fundamental to our system of "government by the consent of the governed" that the people hold the power to elect the officials who govern them.

We were, therefore, astounded to learn from recent news reports of the Flathead County Commissioner's sudden decision to schedule a hearing for Jan. 4 to eliminate the elected office of County Superintendent of Schools.

What is going on here? If this is a move toward a county manager form of government then that concept should be discussed on its own merits up front and in broad daylight. Certainly, under any circumstances, the decision to revoke the people's right to elect a public official should not be entered into precipitously.

We strongly agree with Commissioner Jim DuPont as quoted in the Dec. 16 issue of the Daily InterLake that the proposal to eliminate the elected office of Flathead County Superintendent of Schools 'seems totally inappropriate and rushed."

If you agree with Jim DuPont, please contact commissioners Dale Lauman and Joe Brenneman at 758-5501, or email them at jbrenneman@flathead.mt.gov and dlauman@flathead.mt.gov and tell them so.

Bob Brown

Bob DePratu