Viewpoints
Obvious flaws exposed by Mr.
Dial
By A. M. Johnson
August 21, 2006
Monday
Mr. Dial has clearly illuminated the many and most obvious flaws
in the current consolidation effort. All of the subjects Mr.
Dial detailed have been pointed out to this consolidation commission
as they were to the unification and consolidation commission
in past efforts in some similar form. In my opinion,all rejected
out of hand then as now.
It is my belief that the authors of this current consolidation
effort, with the approval of the State of Alaska, are counting
on public apathy to slip reprehensible and nonrevocable local
government enlargement on the general population without their
full understanding or knowledge. With the exception of Mr. Dial's
public effort to educate us, they seem quite successful. Mr.
Gram's letter provides such assurances. Mr. Gram is an example
of idealism. The reality being the lack of public interest is
just what the authors desire, and that apathy will continue till
a personal ox is gored. Mr. Dial points out that then after the
fact, is much too late to recant.
Most assured, all of Mr. Dial's analyses are spot on. With each
loss of current services provided by the State, we, like other
areas of the State that have unified or consolidated, will assume
increased taxes and larger replacement government bureaucracy.
One point that Mr. Dial has not mentioned is the possibility
the City of Ketchikan will adopt even stricter building codes
next year. With the approval of consolidation, these new stricter
codes will be transferred to the new borough resulting in costly
scrutiny in the form of permit cost and on site inspections.
The current State codes in effect for rural areas satisfy all
loaning and insurance needs.
Another point to ponder: Has anybody pondered on the fact that
all 48 contiguous United States, and perhaps Hawaii, have three
layers of government. State, County(borough) and local.
If this were such a grand and
wonderful solution to Governmental utopianism, would not other
State legislators have introduced and promoted such a wondrous
solution?
My thanks and respect to Mr. Dial for his efforts.
Regards
A.M.Johnson
Ketchikan, AK - USA
About: "In opposition to consolidation I recall the story
of the mechanic (consolidation committe) that told his customer
(citizens)"I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your
horn louder."
Related Viewpoint:
 Are
you serious? By Rodney Dial - Ketchikan, AK - USA
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