Residents named to Charter committees

Tuesday Aug 18 2009 4:51 PM

Fifteen Pierce County residents will represent their fellow citizens in formally supporting or opposing the proposed amendments to the Pierce County Charter that voters will see on the November ballot.

The County Council this afternoon unanimously appointed up to three members to citizen committees that will write "for" and "against" statements for the 2009 Pierce County voter's pamphlet. More citizens applied to serve on some of the committees than there were available slots, Council Chair Roger Bush said.

"We're grateful to everyone who stepped forward to perform this important function of our elections process," Bush said. "This was a difficult process and a tough decision to make, but I think the citizens will be well served by the result."

- Proposition 1 would move the election of the County Executive and County Councilmembers to odd-numbered years by 2015, and would increase the term limits of the executive and councilmembers from two to three consecutive four-year terms (same as the limits currently in effect for the auditor, assessor-treasurer and sheriff). The "for" committee will include Mark Lindquist, Rick Talbert and Charla Neuman; the "against" committee will be John Hathaway, Sherry Bockwinkel and Larry Faulk.

- Proposition 2 would move the election of the auditor, assessor-treasurer and sheriff to odd-numbered years by 2015. The "for" committee is composed of John Herr, Alex Hays and Doug Richardson; the "against" committee will be John Earl (no additional candidates applied).

- Proposition 3 would eliminate Instant-Runoff Voting and restore the primary election for Pierce County elective offices. The "for" committee will be Pat McCarthy, Karen Vialle and John Herr; the "against" committee will be Kelly Haughton, Richard Anderson-Connolly and Lyz Kurnitz-Thurlow.

State law allows local legislative bodies to appoint committees of up to three members to support and oppose ballot measures at least 45 days before the voter's pamphlet is published. Given that deadline, the newly created committees will have until Aug. 24 to submit their statements to the Pierce County auditor.

CONTACT: Brad Chatfield, Council Communications Manager, 253-798-6626