I have concerns about the process regarding the planned reorganization of our Salt Lake County government.
I attended the first and third sessions to figure out what this is about. It appears to me that a new Utah legislator, Richard Walsh, takes office this year and threatens the three county commissioners that he plans to lead an effort in the Legislature to dismantle our county leadership.The commissioners agree that if they lead an effort to reorganize, Mr. Walsh will not dictate the steps. They hold three public meetings and propose a system whereby one elected person will run Salt Lake County and hire and fire staff and generally supervise operations. Power would be balanced by nine part-time council members.
Many sincere and educated people expressed their opinions. I closely observed the commissioners whose opinions were withheld while their faces showed restraint over the concerns that this process may do serious damage to the public.
I sensed there is fear of retribution from Mr. Walsh, who could summon his other legislative buddies to assert his will. The process seems very flawed and dishonest, and we citizens are the ones who will lose. The meetings have made it clear that our issues are greater than who will be the leader and who will sit on the council.
Real solutions have to solve turf issues between cities and unincorporated areas. We taxpayers deserve to see the light of truth shine on the motives of these coercive legislators.
As I exited the final meeting, Mr. Walsh was being called on to address the group, but I found he was out in the hallway laughing and carrying on with people on non-related issues. He didn't seem interested in why we were there. That was the most clear part of the whole meeting.
Gary Utt
Salt Lake City