Not THIS Charter for Belton

By Mike Ferguson

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Text of the letter to the editor by Mike Ferguson on the Belton City Charter.

As with most any political document, there is both good and bad in the proposed Belton City Charter that will be voted on February 4th. Tragically, the same cannot be said about the campaign surrounding this document. The accusations, character assassination attempts and predictions have hurt our community and have distracted us from looking at the pros and cons of the Charter itself.

When we vote on February 4th, we should vote on the document based on what it is and what it is not. Unfortunately, this charter is basically a blueprint for unlimited city government in Belton and will not improve the community one bit. 

Yes, as its proponents claim, the proposed charter provides for groups of citizens the ability for initiative, referendum and recall of elected officials. These are good things, but the inclusion of them in city government are not the automatic accountability that some claim they are. Initiative and recall do not even come close to outweighing the negative aspects of this charter.

The problem with the document is the fact that there is nothing in it designed to define and protect our individual and property rights against government. Not one section, not one line, not one word of this charter addresses individual or property rights of citizens or specific groups like businesses or churches.

In fact, the charter goes to great lengths to do just the opposite and make certain that City Hall's power is unlimited. The proposed charter clearly defines and protects the government's ability to regulate every aspect of our businesses and lives with no recourse from individuals.

Section 2.1 claims all power for the city that is defined by state law. That is to be expected and is appropriate. Section 2.2, however, makes the claim to unlimited authority for the government: "The powers of the city shall be liberally construed. The specific mention of a particular power in this Charter shall not be construed as limiting the powers of the city."

Buried deep within the proposal (in Section 14.1) is the most far-reaching power grab and most frightening aspect of this ill-written document. I will allow the document to speak for itself: "The City Council shall have the power by ordinance to license, tax and regulate all businesses, occupations, professions, vocations, activities or things whatsoever..."

Nothing in the proposed charter balances this power grab to protect citizens, business or churches from abuse of government. Remember, Section 2.2 demands that the powers of the government are to be "liberally construed" and the charter insists that City Hall's power should not be limited. Nothing is written to even acknowledge, let alone protect, your individual rights, your property rights or the autonomy of businesses and churches from the government's regulatory power.

This proposed charter creates extensive powers of government. It makes no attempt to protect your rights from big government. On the contrary, this proposed charter actually encourages big government.

This charter effort was borne out of anger by a few and now impacts our entire community. The personal hatred, quests for vengeance and attempts to assassinate character will continue long after February 4th regardless of whether or not this proposed charter is approved by voters. We will have plenty of time to debate the motivations of the primary charter proponents, which are suspect at best, and sort through all the dishonest claims and mailings that are circulating through Belton.

Belton should become a charter city at some point. However, we should take that step for the right reasons and when we can do so with level heads and emotions driving the effort. The best thing for Belton right now is for us to go to the polls on Tuesday, February 4th and vote NO on this charter.