Ray's letter opposing Issue 20 published October 26 in the Chronicle Telegram

Voters should reject changes to county government.

I have followed with interest Chronicle Telegram stories and letters to the editor regarding Issue 20, which would create a seven-district system of county commissioners to be elected separately from each district. I have been especially pleased to see bipartisan opposition to this plan.  Many commentators, including Republican Commissioner Michelle Hung, have noted that the plan would cost taxpayers more.  Others have noted that the plan would allow, though not guarantee, unprecedented changes in the administration of our county.

Data distributed at the Lorain County Issues Forum on October 4 document the party preferences of voters in each of the seven proposed districts.  Voters should understand that two of the seven districts would be heavily Republican and two heavily Democratic.  That means that Republican voters in the heavily Democratic districts in Elyria and Lorain would likely never have an opportunity to be represented by a Republican commissioner.  Likewise, Democrats in the two heavily Republican districts would likely never be represented by a Democrat.

Our current system of three at-large commissioners allows all Lorain County voters to voice their desire for change when one of the parties is not performing in ways that a majority of voters desire.  It’s a fair system that gives every voter a say in the overall direction of the county.

I urge all voters, whether Republican, Democratic, or independent to vote No on Issue 20.

Ray English, Oberlin

Ray English is a member of Oberlin City Council