When historians dissect twenty-first century government in Androscoggin County, we hope Minot is remembered as birthplace of the revolution.

On Aug. 11, Auburn City Councilor Ron Potvin and selectman Dan Gilpatric, Dean Campbell and Steve French held a conversation about rulers as out-of-touch and imperious as any British monarch: the county commissioners.

“County government is the fourth largest piece in Auburn’s budget and we just get a bill. There’s no accountability, no opportunity to give input,” said Potvin.

“And if you have something to say that they don’t want to hear, they shut you right off,” said Gilpatric.

“We get rural patrol every other month but they’re not in the town all the time even then,” Campbell said.

Potvin then told the meeting of his goal – opening lines of communication between communities and pursuing a county charter. The conversation’s tone and location – tiny Minot – makes it feel conspiratorial, like they were huddled around Paul Revere’s wooden table, drinking grog from silver tankards.

County government is modeled on colonial-era sensibilities and structures, so it’s no coincidence it is the target of rebellion. Leaders of cities and towns enjoy a rare commonality when it comes to counties – both question what they get for their money.

Officials of towns and cities are right to wonder. When the focus of a government is only upon its power, rather than its public, the swords of rebellion get sharpened.

But we’re far from the guillotines of Paris or the stone walls of Lexington and Concord. The issue with county governments isn’t socioeconomic or tyrannical, but rather about accountability. Towns and cities believe the county cannot be held responsible.

Potvin is right – a county charter can re-make government into what’s needed for modern times.

This idea isn’t new. Androscoggin County Sheriff Guy Desjardins is a fan. So are we, as any attempt to change county government is not only welcome, but demanded.

Viva la Minot revolution. A county charter is the answer.