The Nuclear Option
On Sunday the Journal Gazette had an article about the rural group that is studying the consolidation issue. In that article they revealed that the group is looking at the option of incorporating the eastern third of the county to protect it from being consolidated by Fort Wayne.
This option does two things. It becomes a last resort option should their concerns not be addressed and things move forward anyway. It also forces the commissioners and councils to take them into consideration on this matter. This becomes a nuclear option for rural allen county.
Would the county pull the trigger so to speak? Should their study shows that it would be both economically and logistically possible I think they would.
Note: As I was writing this article this thought came to me. The proponents of county consolidation argue that it would make government more efficient. But this rural group formed their own commission and were investigating the matter a full month before the commissioners/ councils group.
I find it ironic that the group touting efficiency through consolidation is the least efficient of the two groups studying the matter.
This option does two things. It becomes a last resort option should their concerns not be addressed and things move forward anyway. It also forces the commissioners and councils to take them into consideration on this matter. This becomes a nuclear option for rural allen county.
Would the county pull the trigger so to speak? Should their study shows that it would be both economically and logistically possible I think they would.
Note: As I was writing this article this thought came to me. The proponents of county consolidation argue that it would make government more efficient. But this rural group formed their own commission and were investigating the matter a full month before the commissioners/ councils group.
I find it ironic that the group touting efficiency through consolidation is the least efficient of the two groups studying the matter.
posted by Indiana Pundit at 10:22 AM
3 Comments:
Touche Pundit!
Actually, Pundit, the people who are being inefficient (if that is the correct word) re: consolidation are the County Commissioners who are, um, conflicted on the issue. City Council passed its ordinance starting the process within weeks of the State law allowing them to do so. Mayor Richard, for his part, made his position known this spring. County Council members, who have to figure out where to come up with the money to pay for county government, have made their positions very clear. Unfortunately for all concerned, it's up to the Commissioners to take the next step. They are the ones holding up the process - and to describe the Commissioners as supporting consolidation is simply untrue.
Why is the city the first to jump all over this? What do they have to gain by it other than a power grab? I don't trust the gung ho eagerness of the Fort Wayne City Council.
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