Dear Editor:
As we debate constitutional government in Franklin County before the April vote, we hear weak arguments from its opponents. One such position includes, “Well, if some counties larger than Franklin don’t have charter government, why should we?”
Usually, these opponents point to Boone County (Columbia area) and Greene County (Springfield area) as examples of counties that have not yet advanced to charter government.
If we set aside the bizarre notion that other counties around the state should choose progress first before we are allowed to take that step here in Franklin County, a look at our county geographically provides a strong reason for us to adopt our own constitution.
Boone County and Greene County are each big fish in small ponds. They dominate their respective regions no matter what form of government they have. When federal dollars flow to their parts of the state, Boone and Greene have little competition.
It wouldn’t matter if these two counties conducted their governments via a charter process or through ancient smoke signals. They don’t need added respect from other counties in their region.
Franklin County is in exactly the opposite position. We are a small fish in a big pond. We operate in a region led by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, a body which determines how federal transportation and other dollars are distributed to area counties.
While I will not say that having a charter government will give us a bigger share of the pot, I will say that the added respectability doesn’t hurt.
Most Missouri members of EWGW have demonstrated a seriousness about their futures. St. Louis City has a charter government. St. Louis County has a charter government. St. Charles County has a charter government. Jefferson County has a charter government.
The final member, Franklin County,—has the same archaic three-commissioner system of government as any remote Missouri county sitting on the Arkansas border.
Franklin County is full of intelligent people who are capable of Home Rule. Just as we no longer need the state to hold our hands while we cross the road to prosperity, we don’t need other non-charter counties to serve as tour guides on our way to excellence.
Kevin Threlkeld
Washington