Commissioner Bell invalidates library bond election?

I just sent the following letter to Weber Commissioner Matthew Bell who is quoted in today's Standard-Examiner (click) pretty much invalidating the library bond election. He says, in effect, that since it didn't get a majority of ALL registered voters, but just 54 percent of those who showed up to vote, it doesn't count.

Yeah: HUH?

Anyway, my letter says it all. I urge you to send one too. His email is mbell@co.weber.ut.us.


Commissioner Matthew Bell
Weber County Commission

April 3, 2014

Commissioner Bell,

I am very disturbed by statements attributed to you in today's Standard-Examiner. If the reporting is correct -- and I trust the reporter -- you are claiming that the County Commission does not need to follow the intention of the recent library bond because a numerical majority of all registered voters in Weber County failed to approve it.

Seriously?

I really feel you need to reconsider this argument, Commissioner Bell. In one sweep you are calling into question every election held in Weber County since statehood since, I suspect, few has ever had the sort of clear numerical majority you are asking for. That would require, in a close election, a 100 percent turnout.

That would include, I suspect, the election that put you into office. 

You advocate the Constitution, which demands elections. Do you really want to say that elected officials can invalidate any election they want at will? That the public can ignore any elected official who didn't get such a numerical majority?

This is a horrible message and precedent. 

I am also puzzled by your opposition to the Library expansion that the bond finances. Your county web site says you are an advocate of government on the lowest level possible, and libraries funded through local financing, governed by citizen boards, are about as low as you can get. The plan the bonds were to fund was clearly advertised and debated, the votes were counted, the results are in. Everyone on all sides had their shot.

Now you, an official in a higher level of government, are saying it didn't count?

I also don't understand your opposition to the library expansion on a more basic, capitalistic basis.

Utah, and Weber County, have been building civic facilities since statehood, and before, with the specific intention of attracting private investment. Libraries tell visiting corporate heads that a community is well organized, cares about its citizens, supports development, can provide them with workers who are well grounded in the latest educational technologies, and will be a welcome and friendly place for their employees to live. 

Libraries foster development. You don't think Salt Lake County built that huge library downtown just because it likes pretty buildings, do you? Look at the development around it. We want that in Weber County, too.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this, Commissioner Bell. Thank you for your attention.

Charles Trentelman
801-394-0239