The next step in Franklin County becoming a charter form of government or “Home Rule” will be decided by county residents on Tues., Apr. 7, as voters determine if they approve or disapprove of the proposed Franklin County Constitution.
Franklin County residents approved the county moving forward with a Charter Government during the April 2008 election, which approved the issue 5,468 yes to 4,574 no.
The next step in the county becoming a Charter Government was to select a Constitution Committee to draft a county constitution and bring it to the voters. The draft committee was comprised of seven Republicans and seven Democrats. The committee was appointed by Presiding Judge Gael Wood and Cindy Eckelkamp.
The proposed Franklin County Constitution was published in the Sullivan Independent News as an insert for three consecutive weeks to bring the issue to the voters.
One of the big issues in the constitution, if approved, would allow the county to pass its own laws rather than having to ask the state legislature to approve them. This would also allow the county to operate its own court system with revenues remaining in the county.
The charter form of government would also allow for a new county council that would have representation from all areas of the county rather than the present county commission comprised of a presiding commissioner and two associate commissioners.
There has been a growing opposition to this constitution by Citizens to Preserve Government Integrity. The group has held several meetings in the county as has the Constitution Committee in the drafting process of the document.
Residents are encouraged to view the constitution and its complexity by either obtaining a past copy of the Independent News’ March 4 through March 18 editions or viewing it on the Constitution’s website at www.franklincountyconstitution.com.
The charter form of government is presently being used in the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson and Jackson count