The most important and time-tested component of American democracy is the concept of checks and balances. It ensures the interests of a few never override the values and interests of the larger community. It protects against corruption. It protects against tyranny.

On June 13, Boulder City Council’s nine members met to contemplate eliminating Boulder County’s most important system of checks and balances: the BVCP’s four-body review process for land-use changes. Boulder’s four governing bodies are the county commissioners, county Planning Commission, City Council, and city Planning Board.

When the county Planning Commission (CPC) recently — and wisely — voted to maintain the existing density and reject Boulder County Housing Authority’s overreach at Twin Lakes, it sent shock waves through the halls of power in Boulder County — and the city. How dare this governing body listen to the people they serve? How dare they defy the back-door power plays of the county?

In response, five City Council members, led by Matt Appelbaum, have begun a disgraceful crusade to do away with the checks and balances of the four-body review process. The other four are Bob Yates, Aaron Brockett, Jan Burton, and Andrew Shoemaker. Focusing squarely on the county Planning Commission, Appelbaum arrogantly stated the CPC didn’t have the “knowledge or experience” to make decisions on urban development matters. He further characterized the CPC as the “kill committee,” implying they deny any urban development that comes before them. This absurd remark is indicative of how detached Appelbaum and his small alliance are from the other three governing bodies and the citizens of Boulder.

These “City Council 5” now want to eliminate the voice the CPC provides for residents of Boulder County for good. If they succeed, the high-density appetite of the “5” on Council will achieve their goal of having the city control un-annexed county land-use decisions by eliminating the county’s veto power on any future land-use decision impacting Areas II and III. That’s right: the city is moving to have unilateral control over unincorporated Boulder County.

The remaining four City Council members — Lisa Morzel, Mayor Suzanne Jones, Sam Weaver and Mary Young — were the lone voices for protecting the checks and balances of the four-body review. They were also the lone voices for county residents having a say in their own future.

Lisa Morzel spoke strongly and eloquently, defending the CPC, their fine work, and the representation they give county residents. She’s been a consistent advocate for county residents, particularly the voiceless residents of Gunbarrel. In fact, Morzel often stood up for us when our own county commissioners turned a deaf ear to our concerns. She has cited Twin Lakes as exactly the reason we need four-body review, and she speaks as a true statesman for Boulder County.

Mayor Suzanne Jones also spoke out in strong defense of the four-body review: “…I think the conversations that happen and the representation that occurs is useful and it makes us think real deliberately on how we grow on the edges and the big undeveloped parcels.” Jones also questioned why the “City Council 5” are asking for this change now, “in the 11th hour,” when there are so few land parcels left to decide on?

Sam Weaver had the gumption to speak out about the elephant in the room: “There’s a big piece of Area II which hasn’t been mentioned tonight, which is Gunbarrel…if anything were to happen there, I would think the folks that live there would want as much representation at the county level as they could.”

Mary Young put it simply: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Put another way, checks and balances are critical.

The demise of the four-body review would constitute a state of absolute control by the city over Boulder County residents, most notably over Gunbarrel. It would effectively silence the voices of county residents, and empower the city to freely exert its will over Gunbarrel. It would send an ominous warning to any governing body that didn’t agree with the “City Council 5,” lest they too be eliminated from the process. Let’s call this what it is: a transparent and dangerous payback for the CPC’s actions on Twin Lakes.

I want to commend Morzel, Weaver, Jones and Young for their commitment to a system of government that respects the voice of the people. They have demonstrated adherence to higher principles, higher-mindedness, and higher knowledge and experience in making astute, statesman-like decisions for both city and county residents.

Susan Lambert lives in Gunbarrel.