October 22, 2020
To: Mayor Alice Ruby, City of Dillingham Alaska
City Council Members
Re: Emergency Ordinance 2020-22
Dear Madam Mayor and Members of the City Council,
In reviewing the newest version of the ‘Emergency’ ordinance that is being proposed to replace the previous version of the ordinance meant to address the issues surrounding how to adequately deal with Covid-19, one thing is very apparent. There is no need to expand any further powers to be granted to hired employees. Specifically, legislating that an employee of the people of Dillingham be placed in the position of ordering medical procedures, ordering the seizure of private property, placing restrictions upon the free-will use of private property and/or suspending any enacted laws/codes. The Alaska Constitution clearly states that We the people are the rightful owners of our own property and the rewards of our own industry and further explains that the people are the source of government and that it exists for the equal benefit of all people.
The language being used in EO 2020-22 is ambiguous enough that a casual reader may comprehend that the ordinance is either designed to transfer power from the representatives of the people to a singular non-representative entity OR it is designed to expand the daily powers of the city government apparatus to what equates to be very much an over-reach. Not long ago, I wrote a letter to the recipients of this letter on May 7 of this year and said this:
“I am writing to voice a couple of concerns about the unfortunate situation that our community, region, state, nation and world find ourselves trapped in. The only thing that can be said of this is that none of Us can predict what the outcome will be, but all of Us should be working cooperatively and responsibly to ensure that We do not create more government bureaucracy that servs to hinder individuality and personal successes of the people. It’s a well-known fact that once a government entity chooses to create more of itself, it almost never undoes it.”
I would like to suggest that the Council consider putting any vote on Emergency Ordinance 2020-22 on hold until after a in-person public hearing is held where the people can all line up to speak to the issues on a first come, first serve basis. Not in the typical format of speaking by appointment and by-favor, but one where the general public is allowed to be heard by the council and each other. There’s no reason that this cannot be held…and held very soon in the DHS Gymnasium with social distancing and masks.
Thank You for your consideration in these matters and I look forward to hearing back from You.
Sincerely,
Jon Corbett