I would like to clarify some of the comments in Tom Bangasser’s editorial of Sept. 1 concerning the community council. The community council is not at all similar to our park district, school district, sewer and water districts or other taxing districts. If you want to serve on one of those districts, you file for the office in King County, run a campaign and are on the official state ballot.  You are voted on by those registered voters in your district who vote in that particular election.

When you serve on one of these elected boards, you are required by state law to fill out a full financial disclosure form, available to the public, which lists your assets, various connections to businesses and other things of public concern.  You are also made aware that your actions, while in office, are available for public scrutiny. 

No such notice is given to those who serve on our community council. The vote for these positions is not a part of the official ballot, and anyone can vote for their favorite community council candidate, even if they are not a registered voter. They are not subject to financial disclosure laws, nor are they informed that what they say, do or write will necessarily become public. They are part of what has always been an informal advisory group.

The community council has no power to make laws, levy taxes or do anything except make recommendations, as an advisory body only, to King County. I am amazed that anyone in county government would even consider that the various unincorporated councils would be subject to the same public disclosure laws as duly elected members of the taxing district boards.

Regardless of the outcome of the current situation or the legal decision of the county on the restrictions appropriate to the community councils, the fact remains that contrary to Mr. Bangasser’s assertions, the council is in no way similar to the boards of our local taxing districts.

Emma Amiad