The public meeting to inform those who came, could come and would come about what is going on in the county was a success.

First, I want to thank the county commissioners for calling the meeting. They didn't have to. I'm sure, in their hearts they knew what was coming. People do not fill a courthouse to tell their elected officials that they think they are doing a good job.

The meeting was productive. The attorneys for the county commissions and the constitutional officers stated that they agreed on what the state law is.

As I understood it, the commissioners are in charge of accepting or rejecting budgets from the different departments of county government. They are also in charge of roads. Other than that, the commissioners have no say over how the sheriff, clerk of the courts, probate judge, tax commissioner or coroner spends their approved budgets. They all must stay in their budgets.

Those elected to the offices of county commissioner, sheriff, clerk of the courts, probate judge, tax commissioner or coroner do not work for each other. They work for the citizens of Miller County. One office cannot dictate to the other what procedure they use to run their offices. The Board of Commissioners cannot require any other elected officer to sign on to their personnel policy or procedures.

Both attorneys stated that there is no lawsuit at this time. If their clients agree to what can be done by law, these issues can be settled out of court, which will be best for all concerned.

It was estimated that the threat of suits has already cost the taxpayers of this county an estimated $20,000.00. If it goes to court, that could double or triple.

As a taxpayer, it is my hope that it can be settled out of court and quickly.

The first meeting was fairly orderly and hopefully productive.

If those elected officials who are supposed to represent the people of this county will remember, although they can do what they want to, there will come a time called election time. Hopefully many of these wounds will have healed, and we can work for the best of this county.

The second meeting was held to get some idea of why all of our elected commissioners thought it best to change our voting system that has lasted since this county was established.

The HB1044 was through the House of Representatives before most of us knew what was happening. Thanks to Representative Gerald Greene and Senator John Bulloch, the bill was stopped until this meeting was held Monday, February 22.

The new law for elections for Miller County would have been changed drastically and dangerously, in my opinion.

The new law would have taken all the election responsibilities away from the probate judge of which she was elected to do by the people, do away with the board of registrars which are selected by the Grand Jury and appointed by the Superior Court Judge, and given to the five county commissioners. The commissioners would have complete power to name those in charge of all elections. They would have power to select and remove every appointed election official. The only thing the people would have to do with elections would be to vote one commissioner in each district out if he/she did wrong. This would lose four-fifths of the voting power that the people have now.

The two commissioners who made the original motion, Wallace Phillips, and second by Clyde Jinks, came off the request for the legislation. The other three commissioners stated that they were still for the new election law giving them the power.

I think that those commissioners who can understand, or care, what the people want, now know. It would be the wise thing for them to listen to what the majority wants. This goes for our city, state and nation.

Lord help us!