Hugemites! United In Demanding True Representation from our Elected Officials
Attention Hughesvillians!
As you can read here: Regionalism and here: Delusional Duck - Comment 22 - Nanjemites (Nanjemoy residents) are about as fed up as Hughesvillians (Hughesville Residents) with our elected officials and the lack of representation we see at each and every turn. We're are all tired of fighting to have our vision plans followed. As you read in the "Regionalism" post, there is power in numbers. If the Hughesvillians and the Nanjemites combined forces (East County + West County), the "Hugemites" would be a force to be reckoned with.
I'm all for it...since I live right in between you both, I support BOTH!!
Nanjemoy and Hughesville residents were both supportive of the Welcomers fight against Facchina's gravel pit plans and I can't tell you enough how grateful I am - THANK YOU!!
I will most definitely support a "combined" organization - a FORCE that will have the $$$$ and political clout to take on ANYTHING the developers and Commissioners want to throw at us!!!
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One thing that each citizen in Charles County can do to help Hughesville with its current fight with Chaney is to complete the survey here: http://www.preservehughesville.org/
It's an issue that could affect anyone in Charles County. Stand up and be counted.
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Electing representation by District @ the local level is the first step to ensuring that we receive a process of governing our County that will ensure ALL citizens have a voice @ the table.
Currently, the at-large process enables our local Commissioners to barter with each other on issues to vote & lobby with each other on issues without regard to consequences to "their" District, for the obvious mechanism of at-large voting is what they rely on ultimately.
However, when held to tighter standards of accountability within Districts & directly to the people who elected them to their seats, they will be more responsive to the issues affecting the needs of those voters. This will lead to better dialogue among the Board members of what is really best overall for the County as a whole versus "you scratch my back & I'll scratch yours" mentality.
When that type of politicking is practiced there are always winners and losers. We know who the losers have been.
But we must not take our eye off the key point here which is to win the support of EVERYONE in the County, both on the idea of District representation & issues within Hughesville & Nanjemoy.
It is very important that ALL of Charles County understand how very important it is that District representation is just as important to every part of Charles County as it is to our two segments. Making it just about us will doom our efforts.
Just as will making our issues only about us. We must emphasize how the issues most pressing to us impact every corner of Charles County. Not only do these issues have direct impact to Hughesville & Nanjemoy (for instance) but they do (will) have direct or indirect impact on other parts or all parts of the County (budget, environment, health cost, education, transportation, water, etc.).
Making us about them is how this becomes "regional" & most effective.
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There is a great article on a site called FairVote. The article is called "Choice Voting vs. Cumulative Voting" & breaks down all the pros & cons for each.
The link is here: http://www.fairvote.org/?page=533
I have written to the author Mr. Ritchie & posed some questions for him asking him some questions about how we might do things to get the ball rolling.
I have also looked @ Marland's Voting Rights Act (Laws) as they relate to resticting the use of at-large elections for local elections when they are shown to dilute the power of minorities to elect candidates or influence an election's outcome.
More to come...
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