Representatives versus Rulers

Interesting article in the Auburn Journal today: Water agency directors at mercy of Placer supes in district remap

We’ve known for a while that redistricting was coming to PCWA.  By law, water board members’ district boundaries are identical to those of the Placer County Board of Supervisors, and county supervisorial districts are proportionally out of balance because of explosive growth in the Lincoln area. 

I don’t know the whats or hows  involved in the process, but the attitude of elected officials toward this task is disturbing.  Rather than apportion districts by population, geographic, or natural boundaries, elected officials place priority on holding onto their positions.  One of my board colleagues influencing the process told the Auburn Journal, “I can certainly understand the logic in perhaps what they’re trying to do but I’d like to serve at least one more term.”

My view on a host of issues is far different than my board colleagues, so our contrary positions on this are no surprise.  An elected representative’s job is to represent his constituents, not himself.  Manipulating electoral districts to benefit elected officials is a serious disservice to those we represent. I believe elected officials participating in these sorts of shenanigans should be looked on with suspicion and disapproval, corruption and self-dealing have no place in government.

Our electoral system is designed for people to elect representatives, not for rulers to choose who they want for subjects.

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