While your readers may not find letters to the editor concerning policies and procedures as captivating as those more frequent letters submitted concerning subject matter areas such as inadequate infrastructure, development issues and threats to the environment, I suspect that few would disagree that good policy and procedures are an essential part of any organization.
The letter to the editor submitted by Sussex 2030 and appearing in the March 28 edition of the Cape Gazette supporting a recently introduced ordinance to provide the procedure for removing appointed officials should be applauded. Such an ordinance is long overdue and vital to good government.
Sussex 2030 was formed in February 2020 and has more than 500 members. Its stated mission is to support the planned growth of the county, including infrastructure, employment opportunities, advanced education and improvements in local ordinances while preserving the beauty and environmentally sensitive assets of the county. See www.sussex2030.com. I urge anyone having an interest in our local government and how it functions to contact Sussex 2030 to see where they might need assistance.
County council meeting minutes for March 7 reflect that the ordinance was introduced by Councilman Hudson. In speaking to the ordinance, county council attorney Moore indicated that he had been working on this matter for some time and noted that the Delaware code references the council’s authority to remove appointed officials, but that it does not set forth a removal procedure. The ordinance, if adopted, will provide this procedure.
In accordance with Rule 10.4 of council’s Rules of Procedure, the clerk of the council will now assign a number to the proposed ordinance, distribute a copy of the ordinance to each elected official and comply with all public advertising requirements mandated by law. For those readers who support this proposed ordinance, you may want to contact county council and urge its adoption when presented for a vote by the council.
The other matters mentioned in the Sussex 2030 letter (i.e., public participation in the selection of appointees, a resign-to-run ordinance and an ordinance to provide a procedure for removing elected officials) are also very important and essential to ensure public accountability of our local government. For those in agreement, you should contact council and request they consider developing appropriate ordinances concerning these matters. See Rule 10.3 of council’s Rules of Procedure (proposed ordinance is limited to no more than one subject).
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