Commission’s “good old boy” system stifles delivery of vital services

I wish to take this opportunity to address my concerns regarding county government, and what could be done to improve our efficiency in providing services to the municipalities within its boundaries.

In the last five months, citizens of Androscoggin County have been subjected to negative publicity, almost daily, concerning how county government is being managed and the many problems from which it suffers.

We have been described by some a form of government that is totally archaic and dysfunctional. Many believe county government should be eliminated totally, while others feel it is a form of representation with potential to provide more efficient services that municipalities alone could otherwise not afford.

I admit we have our share of problems, but they are nothing good, old-fashioned hard work and public involvement cannot fix.

In preparing myself to write this article, I tried to focus, in a positive way, on a rational explanation for the current state of affairs we have found ourselves between county government and the citizens we are responsible to serve.

I could list countless reasons for our demise, but it basically comes down to just two major issues.

First, it seems it is mired in our county leaders’ minds the notion of ruling by the “good old boy” system and the premise that it must be right because that is how “it’s been done for years.”

Second, I must include my three “Ps” in politics, which are Power, Personality and Perception. If these are neither understood nor used properly, they could be disruptive to everyone involved.

And I believe we have reached this destination because of neglect and obvious public noninvolvement in county government for a number of years.

Let’s face it, we feel we are governed to death by local, state and federal governments, which feeds our emotional fire whenever we suspect they may negatively affect our standard of living, or endanger our safety and security.

That is my short answer on our current situation. The big question is how do we correct it?

Allow me to borrow a quote from the author John Gardner, who referred to political affairs and government this way: “The citizen can bring our political and governmental institution back to life, make them responsive and accountable, and keep them honest. No one else can.”

How true that statement is today. We need to heed Gardner’s statement and start making county government more responsive to the needs of our communities and raise its level of accountability.

This can only be accomplished by citizens getting involved, and first supporting the establishment of an Androscoggin County Charter Committee. This committee would be empowered to develop a county charter to protect the rights of all citizens.

It would also establish specific criteria detailing the duties, responsibilities and functions of all elected county officials not covered by state statute. Once the charter was complete, it would be placed on a ballot as a referendum question for approval by all county voters.

Our charter should include priorities of intergovernmental cooperation among the county’s cities and towns, and review of the composition and compensation of county commissioners.

The list of possibilities are endless, but the end result would be a clear and precise set of regulations that gives direction to all county officials to follow.

It could also ensure final decisions on any county issue would be based on facts, derived from workshops and public hearings, not driven by political indifferences, personalities or individual beliefs.

Within coming days, I will forward my written request to the County Commission, requesting they authorize and establish an Androscoggin County Charter Committee as soon as possible. If the commissioners refuse to undertake this most critical step forward to improve our government, a citizen’s petition should then start immediately.

At the onset, funding, if needed, would be minimal, and should be paid within our current budget. Funding cannot be used as a reason to disallow such an important and beneficial project.

I believe county government could be instrumental in assisting local governments in consolidating services, major purchases and staff training to offset operational expenses for all.

But first, we need to get our ship in order, by placing our rudder and our oars into the water to bring accountability, respect and stability of management into Androscoggin County.

Guy P. Desjardins, of Sabattus, is sheriff of Androscoggin County. E-mail him at: [email protected].