Little by little, the Home Rule Act has been implemented to change the way and the level at which important decisions are made. Most recently, here in Beaufort County, it has been used as a rallying cry by critics of the election commission and those who want to see appointive power for boards and commissions given to the local officials. Unfortunately, it hasn't quite gotten there yet. Reps. Rodgers' and Gilham's bill would carry it a step further by giving local governments ap-pointive powers for all offices that affect only one county. Delegations would retain appointive power to statewide and regional boards, commissions, authorities or any other governmental entity that has representatives on its governing body from more than one county.
Many senators are reluctant to give up their appointive powers.
They would rather have a convoluted weighted system that would keep them in control. Lawmakers must resolve this issue, and the House version should prevail. This isn't exciting legislation, but it is important legislation that would return appointive powers to the halls of government closest to the people. Differences in opinion on the powers should be addressed with amendments, not with refusal to approve the legislation. Time is of essence.