Election time. This year, Black Diamond voters have a decision to make regarding the form of government for their town. Prop. 1 asks whether Black Diamond should switch from a Mayor-Council to a Council-Manager form of government. I am voting No on Prop. 1.

Save our Rural Town? According to the Yes on Prop. 1 campaign, the new city council needs your help as they work to defend our rural town’s quality of life. Don’t be misled. YarrowBay’s Master Planned Developments are approved, vested, and moving forward. Whether Black Diamond has a mayor or city manager will not change that.

Reform City Government? The Yes on Prop. 1 campaign says you can take back your city government by voting for the Council-Manager form of government. In addition, they claim that a professional is needed to guide the city through the hundreds of decisions that will be made over the next several years.

Again, don’t be misled. Black Diamond has a city administrator in place. A Yes vote will not take back city government. It will give the administration of government to a city manager—a position not subject to voter approval. Presently I can vote for the mayor, so if I want a change in leadership I can make my voice heard at the polls.

I have attended city council meetings and I have submitted letters to the city council, staff, and planning commission regarding this and other issues. I have read the letters to the editor and corresponding comments about Prop. 1. Unfortunately since the city council chose not to engage in an inclusive public process, a process that would have included a discussion of the pros and cons of such a change, the voters are forced to try to discern what are facts and what are opinions. One thing I think most people in Black Diamond can agree on is that we all want what’s best for our City. Probably the other thing we can agree on is that each person’s vision of what is best for Black Diamond is as different as each individual.

My vision of what’s best for Black Diamond is to keep our current system of government. I encourage you to join me in voting No on Prop. 1.

Leah Grant

Black Diamond