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Op-Ed: Proper Role of Local Governments, Judges and Commissioners, Part 3 of 3

By • December 26, 2022

Judges
County Judges can be elected or appointed. I have seen both. It varies from state to state, and county to county. In Idaho, County judges are appointed. Nonetheless, the function of judges is clear: adjudication over cases brought before them, and administration of county courts.

Cities typically do not have City Courts. I certainly do not recall seeing any in Idaho. But, it is legal for Cities to have them.

It should be clear, however, that Judicial function is part of the overall role in Local Governments. Within a County, Separation of Power exists. That structure not only mirrors that of the Federal government, but is the foundation of our government system presented to us by our Founding Fathers.

County Commissioners
Perhaps a County Commissioner is equivalent to the “captains over thousands,” as described by Moses in Deuteronomy. Of the elected positions listed, Commissioners have the most and heaviest responsibilities. The 9th and 10th Amendments state that powers not specifically delegated to the Federal Government are retained by the States and the People. State powers are enumerated in the State Constitution. Everything else rests with the People, represented in Local Governments by Commissioners on the County level.

Let’s explore this concept deeper. What branch of government do County Boards of Commissioners belong to? Legislative. As such, the County Commissioners pass ordinances (laws), resolutions (government commitments), and budgets. In other words, the Commissioners can enact laws that govern and impact our lives. They can also pass resolutions committing the County to do something. Finally, the Commissioners pass budgets that make the laws they pass possible, and force the honoring of the commitments they have made. The budget process also enables them to have jurisdiction over the various County departments.

A further question needs to be asked: Where then is the Executive branch? During the Constitutional Convention, there were several proposals to break up the Executive branch into several branches. Virginia, for example, proposed seven Executive Heads as opposed to one President. Although the Virginia proposal did not pass, the concept of breaking the Executive Branch into smaller branches is not new.

On the County level, the Executive branch is divided by the various positions already mentioned, as well as some other appointed positions that are necessary for the normal operation of the County.

Idaho Freedom Foundation
For law enforcement and the protection of the people, we elect a Sheriff.
For accountability and proper disbursement of funds, we elected a Treasurer.
For the protection of our property rights, we elect an Assessor.
To ensure respect for the sanctity of life, we elect a Coroner.

The elected positions indicate the role of local governments. Local government exists for the protection of life, property, safety (and liberty), provide accountability of collected taxes, and provide judicial functions.

To keep up with the modern times, the County Commissioners will often appoint a Public Works Director, a Planning Director, a County Engineer, a County Council, a Human Resources Director, etc.

It is my hope that by understanding the Proper Role of Local Governments we can appreciate their functions and exercise our vigilance accordingly.

Art da Rosa, PE, MPA, CFM, Inkom, ID

This Op-Ed was submitted by Art da Rosa. Op-Eds do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those at the Idaho Dispatch.

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Tags: Assessor, Coroner, County Commissioners, Judges, Local Government, Sheriff, Treasurer

11 thoughts on “Op-Ed: Proper Role of Local Governments, Judges and Commissioners, Part 3 of 3

  1. This is what leads to unaccountable, deep state, woke tactics. These positions must report to the held accountable, Elected Commissioners and then the Commissioners make the actual decisions.

    “…To keep up with the modern times, the County Commissioners will often appoint a Public Works Director, a Planning Director, a County Engineer, a County Council, a Human Resources Director, etc…”

  2. The FEDS have bought and paid for our local and state officials through grants, incentives and program funds. Government employees belonging to associations by profession are nothing more than couriers of the socialist agenda under the guise of “best practices” and training programs.

    The people don’t have a government. Corporations own governments and governments carry their water.

    1. Vicky, one correction…the governments are corporations! Every City has a Dunn & Bradstreet number and is a ‘for profit’ corporation. All the Federal offices have the same and are ‘for profit. It’s not just other corporations. Yes, we pay for all of it and we all know that the Federal Reserve is not Federal and they have no reserves of money; i.e., gold or silver! This is all a con game we are living and Idaho is no different, unfortunately!

      It is time that We The Employers start to let the employees understand who they work for! They all have bonds!

  3. The question I get asked is, where do I go to finf information about judges? There isn’t one. We are voting blind for these judges on our ballots. I voted no on every single one. I came from Alaska they have a very comprehensive voter guide which I was mailed. It had everyone who was on the ballot and some bios. Most importantly it had all the judges who were rated by police, lawyers, judicial watch and a couple other groups. When I arrived here a few years ago, no source was available. Who are these judges we are voting for. How do they rule? Are they soft on crime? We don’t know. Law and order is sorely lacking in this country. I would like to know if our police and prosecutors support these judges. Idaho needs to figure this out. From here on out I suggest everyone votes NO on ballots for this mysterious judges.

  4. The Russians, Chinese, Iran or north Korea aren’t the enemy that has destroyed our freedoms and liberties and bankrupted the United States.

  5. Almost all judges are appointed by the Governor in Idaho because our corrupt culture disapproves of lawyers challenging sitting judges in elections. Judges cannot show their political or moral philosophy. They are supposedly non-partisan. This all is a big lie. The Idaho Judical Council gives the Governor three candidates to choose from when a judge retires. Judges retire mid-term in many cases, therefore, the voter only sees the incumbent on the ballot. You never hear your state legislator talk about this because they are afraid of the judical/legal opposition. Many just never question ‘legalized’ corruption.

  6. Completely agree. There is no information available upon which to decide yes or no on these judicial positions. The State’s Governor, based upon a commission’s recommendation, appoints judges and justices to an initial term. Subsequently, they are “elected/re-elected” to their positions via the voting process. For a judge to be retained via the election process, he/she needs more than 50% of the vote. This needs to be corrected. The voter is blind when making this decision on election day. This past election, I simply left those judicial related ballot areas blank. If my perception is wrong, I’d appreciate someone correcting me.

  7. Look up the Youtube channel Justinian-Deception and watch the Communism video. It is Admiralty Law that is destroying this country! Every courtroom in this country displaying a gold-fringed flag is an Admiralty court! Everything has meaning…it’s time we all become more observant and question everything!

  8. Yes QUESTION EVERYTHING ⚠️

    And HAVE NO DOUBT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE BENEFITS OF PEOPLE, AS MUCH AS IT IS FOR INCORPORATION, the corporate world⚠️

    Remember the 2008 housing market crash, people were criminally removed of their homes
    Obama was elected and called it “TOO BIG TO FAIL” all the Wall Street criminals were bailed out

    And turned around and gave themselves huge bonuses, for screwing millions of people out of their homes⚠️

    America is the most corrupt nation on earth!

    That includes the judicial system!

  9. To all my fellow American patriots, Wokeism has hit Idaho schools hard and fast. We need to inform as many parents as possible and as quickly as possible of the need to contact their state legislators so they can introduce bills to stop the use of pronouns without the consent of the child’s parents. As with any situation, if you give the devil a ride soon he will be driving. We also need to inform parents on how to look up their legislature. Please do a segment on this site as to how Wokeism is affecting Idaho schools. I will do fund raisers, put my personal funding out there or whatever is needed to send out pamphlets or whatever to inform Idahoans of the dangers of taking rights away from the parents. Help me to inform parents as I do not know how to go about this with out direction. Thanks in advance.

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