Lee Hudson Frame
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Values & Motivation
Do you personally support or oppose the move to Home Rule? Why or why not?
Oppose. The current process has not adequately included the public.
Why do you want to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission?
To ensure that the charter is beneficial to the citizens and that the citizens have adequate information and input to the charter.
What do you see as the most important values that should guide the charter-writing process?
That under the charter, citizens have full opportunity to affect the major decisions being made by the county.
Approach to Governance & Representation
How would you ensure that the charter reflects the needs of all Douglas County residents - not just those in power or politically aligned?
Do not remove any decisions that are currently made by the citizens. No transfer of additional authority to the commissioners than they already have.
Checks and Balances
Should the County Commissioners have the power to appoint any or all elected positions such as Commissioner, Sheriff, Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, Coroner, and/or Surveyor without a public vote as well as other boards such as library board, planning commission, water commission and others?
Again, don't eliminate current ability of citizens to participate in major decisions.
Would you support or oppose charter provisions that limit the consolidation of power into the hands of a few officials?
Very much oppose
Resistance to Extremism
How would you respond if fellow commissioners proposed changes that would reduce public input, centralize control, or limit democratic participation?
Oppose such changes in the Home Rule Commission meetings and alert the public if such changes were included in the final recommended charter.
Community Engagement
What specific steps would you take to engage residents across the political spectrum, including those who may not trust this process?
Make sure that all deliberations of the commission are open to the public.
Are there any community groups, institutions, or individuals you believe should be involved in shaping or reviewing the charter?
All groups or individuals interested in the charter should have an opportunity to provide inputs and comments as the charter is being drafted.
Against home rule?
YES
If home rule initiative passes, are you in favor of...
Do you believe the Board of County Commissioners should retain sole authority over appointing library trustees, rather than allowing an independent library board to do so?
NO
Do you believe Douglas County should use Home Rule to opt out of the state minimum wage?
NO
Should the future Home Rule charter grant the County discretionary power to regulate local elections differently from state standards (e.g., voting access, procedures)?
NO
Do you oppose converting currently elected county positions—such as sheriff, coroner, or clerk and recorder—into appointed positions under a Home Rule charter?
YES
Do you support preserving current term limits for county commissioners and other elected officials and maintaining current campaign finance law any future Home Rule charter?
YES
In a future home rule charter, should the state, not county commissioners, retain the sole authority to approve changes to elected officials’ compensation?
YES
Do you support expanding the number of commissioners to 5, with 3 of them being elected by district and 2 at large?
YES
Are you prepared to stand alone, if necessary, to defend principles of transparency and fair representation?
YES
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
I am concerned that this current charter process will only create more distrust in Douglas County government. That is a problem already and the current process seriously aggravates trust.