There are strong logical arguments for upgrading to five commissioners: 1) Three commissioners can’t adequately represent the whole county of 375,000 residents. The concentration of power and decision-making in the hands of three individuals means 40% of county residents typically aren’t represented. 2) It’s time to bust the GOP stronghold on local political power and intra-party distractions. Ideally, having more people stepping up as worthy Independents would create diversity vs straight party voting. 3) Moving to five seats, with geographic representation, better meets the needs of neighborhoods.

Of course, at least two of the current incumbents won’t present the concept to voters, so it looks like we’ll have to petition for the update. It will take about a New York minute to fulfill the petition signatures.

Lloyd Guthrie

Roxborough