LETTER: North Franklin should consider merger
North Franklin should consider merger Following the American Revolution, as the Appalachian frontier was settled, townships and counties were formed to raise militias to protect the settlers against threats from the native inhabitants. Later, township constables and county sheriffs were appointed to keep the peace. Protection of people and properties was the first reason to form a government on the frontier. Later, townships also built schools. Over time, it became apparent that these township schools could not provide the skills needed in an industrial economy. Townships consolidated their schools to form larger and more efficient school districts. It would follow then that townships and villages that cannot or choose not to provide protection for its people and property might want to follow the example of schools and consolidate to form an entity large enough to provide basic services. Localities that insist on keeping their local government but are unwilling to pay for basic necessary services have no real reason to exist. It is time for the General Assembly to consider legislation that would require local governments to provide certain enumerated services, policing being the most important, or be forced to consolidate. Local schools did not have a state system to transfer their responsibility for education. They consolidated. If North Franklin Township chooses not to raise their taxes to provide police protection, they should consider following the path taken by the long-ago North Franklin School and seek a partner rather than passing the police bill to the rest of us. Martha L. McFadden Washington
North Franklin should consider merger
Following the American Revolution, as the Appalachian frontier was settled, townships and counties were formed to raise militias to protect the settlers against threats from the native inhabitants. Later, township constables and county sheriffs were appointed to keep the peace. Protection of people and properties was the first reason to form a government on the frontier.
Later, townships also built schools. Over time, it became apparent that these township schools could not provide the skills needed in an industrial economy. Townships consolidated their schools to form larger and more efficient school districts.
It would follow then that townships and villages that cannot or choose not to provide protection for its people and property might want to follow the example of schools and consolidate to form an entity large enough to provide basic services. Localities that insist on keeping their local government but are unwilling to pay for basic necessary services have no real reason to exist.
It is time for the General Assembly to consider legislation that would require local governments to provide certain enumerated services, policing being the most important, or be forced to consolidate. Local schools did not have a state system to transfer their responsibility for education. They consolidated. If North Franklin Township chooses not to raise their taxes to provide police protection, they should consider following the path taken by the long-ago North Franklin School and seek a partner rather than passing the police bill to the rest of us.
Martha L. McFadden
Washington