Citizens of Utah County have a special responsibility in the November election, This unusual assignment is to decide whether to keep the commission system of county government or switch to a proposed system called the “Separation of Powers Plan.” We hope the people are taking the task seriously and that they will be informed and ready to vote their earnest convictions Nov. 2, We believe many are making the effort. But we get the impression many others are not and will be depending on hunches, rumors, or shallow research when they enter tl1e voting booth. Campaigning has not been intense. Time and opportunity for public discussion and debate have been fairly limited. To a large extent it remains for each voter to dig into the subject and work out his own feelings on what system he feels will be best fg; them edi1’l1ty?””””” U ‘ What’s happening here is that collectively the voters are or should be examining the advantages and disadvantages of the present system, and balancing them against the proposed new plan preparatory to making a decision at the polls. It puts a responsibility of significant magnitude on the voters to delve into the subject in the remaining days so that each individual vote will be an enlightened one, Copies of the 70-page report of the Utah County Government Study Commission to the people of the county are available at public libraries, at city offices in the county, and at the county commission office in the County Building. They may be purchased at the latter office for S200. The Herald publishe the full report as a public service last June. And the specifics on the plan itself were published as a legal notice in this newspaper Oct. 6 and again Oct. 20 (Wednesday of this week, Pages 41 and 42). Reading it should be “must” for the person who wishes to be informed. The study commission explored the optional forms of county government during an lttmonth study and consulted with many city and county officials besides seeking input in meetings across the valley. Its report, filed last February with the countycommission, was revised after more input – particularly during the period it was circulated in early summer – and refiled in final form July 2. The plan, which study commission members say will enrich opportunity and give more citizen direction and service in county government, centers top responsiblity in a seven-person part-time council with representation across the county; and a full-time elected county executive, A “Committee for Improvement of Utah County Government,” spearheaded largely by former members of the study commission, is disseminating information favoring passage of the new plan. The chairman of its steering committee is Harold Glen Clark. To counter this effort, a “Committee for Governmental Studies,” with wide backing from officials and employees serving ,…uudcLJ.hc..pr:;scnt- System. is ‘ opposing the plan, with James R. Hale and Verl G. Dixon as cochairmen. Opponents claim the new plan is too expensive and concentrates too much power in an appointive official under the elected executive. Both groups have speakers available and will be glad to provide information to anyone interested. Representatives from the two sides have addressed a number of public meetings and civic groups. As we see it, the responsibility to help decide the system under which their county should function is-a privilege-and opportunity for the voters. It’s a chance for critical evaluation, an objective look, and scrutiny of the basics of both current and proposed systems in the light of the challenges ahead for a growing county. Granted, time is short; people are busy. But let no voter say he didn’t have the chance to at least study the new proposal, supplement his understanding of the present system, and weig , in his own mind, the merits of the two plans before election day. So They Suy “The U,S. Congress has remained the bulwark of national purpose, the prescient promoter of the thriving enterprise of state, and the constant preserver of the ideals and aspirations of democracy.” -President William R. Tolbert of Liberia, addressing a joint session of Congress,