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February 13, 2006
The Union County Triumvirate
Apparent to me and a growing number of local residents, the County’s business is controlled by the whims of three men. While we stand by and are distracted elsewhere, this Triumvirate has gained control in our county. They lord over county business without regard to those outside their favor.
The Triumvirate of Union County is so powerful that changes and promises are being made regarding the county’s policy, budgets, and spending that favor only their supporters. The rest of the county’s concerns and needs continue to be ignored.
Change the flood plains? Why not? They are exercising their ability to control growth for personal preference and political gain. Change private property rules? Why not? Changing the rules to satisfy a few whose needs outweigh the benefit of the rest of the county is politically expedient.
And let’s not forget the committee assignments that the Chair meted out to the Triumvirate. There is one committee assignment that is not under the control of this group. The Chair made the promise of more equitable distribution next year. Why shouldn’t he, believing they have no viable opposition currently, or in the future.
Lastly, a proposal to expand the Planning Board from seven members to nine members was denied by the Triumvirate. Why? Would they wish to lose their power to direct the Planning Board to suit their needs?
Future election projections are adding to their conceit. Promises are being made by the Triumvirate because they believe they will control the next election. How? By capturing the large number of traditional straight ticket votes and adding to them the huge and disproportionate number of new voters now residing in Western Union County. Here’s a sobering thought; those in the political know fear that the Triumvirate can deliver. How secure does that make you feel living in New Salem, Marshville, Monroe, Unionville, Wingate or in other municipalities? Are you as a county resident feeling properly represented?
This current situation is primarily created by apathy and blind faith as the residents of Union County have let the Triumvirate become an ugly vine that has twisted itself around county representation and continues to strangle the democratic process.
Voters must also be wary of those who claim to want to overthrow the Triumvirate. The primary opposition group is composed of the same political operatives who lost control allowing the county to get to this point. Now they want to regain control and are extending their hand to those they have ignored in the past. That’s right, the same folks who allowed the influence of construction money to run rampant in Union County for the past 15 years are now afraid of being restricted in all of Union County. Their goal is a new Triumvirate and 2 of their members are already in place.
How much evidence do the citizens of Union County require to realize how severely our county has been compromised by this Triumvirate? There is a way to cut the vine. Expand the roster to 9 Commissioners consisting of 3 At-Large and 6 District Commissioners. The same structure currently used by the Union County Public School Board. Who would not support improved representation? A voice for all communities, citizens and taxpayers throughout the county is desperately needed, warranted and long overdue.
We must re-evaluate representation on the Board of Commissioners in Union County. The Triumvirate has become so powerful that it is conducting itself as an absolute. As the saying goes, absolute power absolutely corrupts. County Commissioners or politicians who tell you differently are only concerned with maintaining the total control of these three men.
The next election could yield more of the same. Only by changing the number of commissioners that utilizes a blend of District and At-Large representation can the Board of Commissioners be relied upon to return democratic representation of the people, by the people and for “all” the people of Union County. If it doesn’t happen this year, my hope is we aren’t foolish enough to let it continue much longer.
Ed Zohn
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