Caroline McCullen: Wake County voices will be heard

WakeEd Partnership applauds the Wake County Board of Commissioners for proposing a new committee to listen to the people.

The Citizen’s Committee on County Representation will engage the public and listen to its ideas about voter representation at the county level. This is a direct response to Senate Bill 181, which seeks to change existing district boundaries and alter how Wake County commissioners are elected. Voters should have a chance to voice their opinions before such changes are implemented.

The committee will include the 12 Wake County mayors, appointments by the 16 Wake County delegates in the General Assembly and appointments by the seven current Wake County commissioners. It offers Wake County residents and leaders a way to share their thoughts on how the board is structured and how its members are elected.

WakeEd Partnership supports the establishment of a citizen’s committee because it allows residents to share input about voter representation. This bipartisan appointment process will allow residents to have a voice in the matter before final decisions on Senate Bill 181 are made in the General Assembly.

Wake County voices matter. They deserve an opportunity to be heard.

This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 6:22 PM with the headline "Caroline McCullen: Wake County voices will be heard."