February 25, 2008
OPEN LETTER TO TAX PAYERS OF BENTON COUNTY
It is now perfectly clear that our County Mayor is not going to provide a venue from which the people may speak to the current attempt to grab and consolidate power.
Since 1939 our Private Act concerning the county budget process has served us well in two areas. The first one was in having the members (5) rotate on and off the budget committee. This process divided the power which is always a good thing in government. But in 1999 former Mayor Thornton and Commissioner Steinbuck were successful in removing this vital protection. Now, the same five commissioners may serve for as long as they remain a part of the commission. The second area concerns the ultimate protection for us by requiring a (2/3) two thirds vote of the commission to spend our money that is not already in the approved budget. If a simple majority becomes law run away spending will occur and our taxes will climb.
It is this two thirds (2/3) vote that is currently under attack by Commissioner Steinbuck. Commissioner Steinbuck has spent the last few days carrying on one of the most dangerous campaigns of misinformation in recent memory. Her agenda to pursue legal action against elected officials is her excuse for not telling the truth and mugging the people she claims to represent.
On Tuesday the 19th of February the Benton County Commission voted to TABLE the resolution asking the state to remove our budget law known as the PRIVATE ACT 1939 CHAPTER 541 as amended in 1999. Now Commissioner Steinbuck says that didn’t happen yet we have her on tape voting yes to TABLE the resolution.
Commissioner Steinbuck has mailed and caused to have hand delivered letters to all of the Benton County Commissioners stating that her conversation with CTAS and a Attorney General Opinion (No.07-46) require us to remove the private act and that the commission may use a simple majority to spend new money. NONE OF THIS IS THE TRUTH but rather selective hearing when she spoke with CTAS and a selective reading of the Attorney General Opinion dated April 10, 2007.
In closing, I am asking each of you to call your Commissioners and tell them you want this MISINFORMATION stopped and ask for a public hearing.
Thank you
Henry Berry
Private Acts (pdf)
Attorney General Opinion (pdf)