An open letter from Kane County Commission candidate John Casperson
I am Board Chairman of the East Zion Special Service Districts. The same people who sponsored me for the position of Chair mentioned to me that I should consider running for commissioner. Steve Neeleman, who owns Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort, and current Commissioner Lamont Smith asked me to consider running. I decided to do so in late January. I will focus my candidacy on two matters:
—The term “consent of the governed.” In a state where 62 of the 75 state reps are members of the Republican Party and all 3 Kane County Commissioners are republicans as well, a case can be made that more than one third of the electorate do not have a voice and are unable to give consent. I wish to be that voice.
—Voters participate in an elective democracy. This election, at least the way I see elections, is my job interview. The voters are my boss. If a majority of my constituents want me to vote a certain way on an issue, I am honor bound to cast my vote in favor of their position. If I disagree, we can have a discussion and I may introduce a point of view that may influence the issue. But my electoral obligation in to express their franchise with the vote they entrust to me. Too many politicians make the vote about politics … it’s about the people they have sworn to represent.
I am concerned that politics has reached a critical point of antagonism. Those empowered with the public trust have a responsibility to ensure that, in the long run, cooler heads prevail. When I campaign, I will mention that I am a veteran (1968-71). When I was in active service for my country, we never asked the soldier or sailor next to us if they were red or blue, Republican or Democrat. To me, the red and white stripes intermingled together represented us united for America, not divided for undue political gain.
My wife and I are successfully retired, so this is not for monetary gain. I spent my life in customer service (the airline industry) and this is another way of serving … serving an electorate. I am also an author.
I would like to facilitate bringing scheduled air service to Kanab by Great Lakes Airlines.
Thank you,
John Casperson
