A Proposal for Provincial Development

[Bentxamì Puntmasleu]

I had an idea earlier today that I would like to run by my fellow Vuodean citizens. Maybe when the next General Session begins, the Estats Xhenerais could work on implementing it if there's any interest. I am working on a draft proposal. This proposal has two main parts.

The first part of this proposal is to establish a mechanism by which provincial citizens can claim residence in one of the townships and, by extension, parishes and cantons. For most (if not all) of us, this residence would be ceremonial. Those of us who actually reside within Vuode (I do not, by the way) might claim their township of actual residence, although I suppose they could claim ceremonial residence elsewhere instead if they would prefer. Of course, given our provincial population and rate of growth, the vast majority of our townships and parishes would not have any Talossan residents for the foreseeable future. Further, of the townships that do have Talossan residents, most (if not all) would have only one). I don't see that as a major problem. It might actually simplify the second part of this idea. I will point out that this idea doesn't necessarily mandate provincial citizens to claim a township (and/or a parish and canton). I don't see why some provincial citizens couldn't opt of residing anywhere but the Province of Vuode at large, if they would prefer. This claiming of residence would be voluntary.

The second part of this proposal is for the township, parishes, and cantons that do have Talossan residents to exercise limited home rule. A township, parish, or canton with at least one resident could then choose to incorporate by proposing to the Premier (or someone else entrusted by the Premier for this purpose) a charter for democratic local governance. Pending the Premier's (or deputy's) approval of the charter, the now incorporated township, parish, or canton could govern itself in accordance with its charter. Examples of what an incorporated community could do include naming features within the community, designing a flag for the community, and proclaiming holidays.

It is important to note that this wouldn't be a federalization of the province. The incorporated communities would be totally subject to the provincial authorities, whose approval would be necessary for acts of the incorporated community to take effect. Provincial authorities could also amend, revoke, etc. any act of and incorporated community or event he charter itself.

In incorporated communities with just one resident (likely, the most common as stated above) the process of local governance wou;d be very simple. In incorporated communities with more that one resident, all the residents would constitute a local legislature, with one resident elected as leader, to facilitate this legislature, keep record of its acts, petition the provincial authorities for approval, etc. A community would not necessarily have to incorporate either. For example, if the townships of Saxony and Inkcone both had residents and were incorporated, the residents of both wouldn't necessarily have to incorporate Cone Parish. They might agree among themselves to do so, but they wouldn't have to.

I feel this arrangement would benefit the province by allowing detailed characteristics to develop with the provincial government itself having to act. Each citizen (or very small group of citizens) could develop pieces of the Vuodean history and culture in their own township of residence. I realize there may be a lot of hiccups to work out, but I do think it is worth considering.

[xpb]

I had an idea earlier today that I would like to run by my fellow Vuodean citizens. Maybe when the next General Session begins, the Estats Xhenerais could work on implementing it if there's any interest. I am working on a draft proposal. This proposal has two main parts.

The first part of this proposal is to establish a mechanism by which provincial citizens can claim residence in one of the townships and, by extension, parishes and cantons. For most (if not all) of us, this residence would be ceremonial. Those of us who actually reside within Vuode (I do not, by the way) might claim their township of actual residence, although I suppose they could claim ceremonial residence elsewhere instead if they would prefer. Of course, given our provincial population and rate of growth, the vast majority of our townships and parishes would not have any Talossan residents for the foreseeable future. Further, of the townships that do have Talossan residents, most (if not all) would have only one). I don't see that as a major problem. It might actually simplify the second part of this idea. I will point out that this idea doesn't necessarily mandate provincial citizens to claim a township (and/or a parish and canton). I don't see why some provincial citizens couldn't opt of residing anywhere but the Province of Vuode at large, if they would prefer. This claiming of residence would be voluntary.

The second part of this proposal is for the township, parishes, and cantons that do have Talossan residents to exercise limited home rule. A township, parish, or canton with at least one resident could then choose to incorporate by proposing to the Premier (or someone else entrusted by the Premier for this purpose) a charter for democratic local governance. Pending the Premier's (or deputy's) approval of the charter, the now incorporated township, parish, or canton could govern itself in accordance with its charter. Examples of what an incorporated community could do include naming features within the community, designing a flag for the community, and proclaiming holidays.

It is important to note that this wouldn't be a federalization of the province. The incorporated communities would be totally subject to the provincial authorities, whose approval would be necessary for acts of the incorporated community to take effect. Provincial authorities could also amend, revoke, etc. any act of and incorporated community or event he charter itself.

In incorporated communities with just one resident (likely, the most common as stated above) the process of local governance wou;d be very simple. In incorporated communities with more that one resident, all the residents would constitute a local legislature, with one resident elected as leader, to facilitate this legislature, keep record of its acts, petition the provincial authorities for approval, etc. A community would not necessarily have to incorporate either. For example, if the townships of Saxony and Inkcone both had residents and were incorporated, the residents of both wouldn't necessarily have to incorporate Cone Parish. They might agree among themselves to do so, but they wouldn't have to.

I feel this arrangement would benefit the province by allowing detailed characteristics to develop with the provincial government itself having to act. Each citizen (or very small group of citizens) could develop pieces of the Vuodean history and culture in their own township of residence. I realize there may be a lot of hiccups to work out, but I do think it is worth considering.

Great ideas, and also it would be interesting if your province would support seasonal occasional non-residential spots in Vuode for those from other locations. 

Of note, anyone has the opportunity to claim 3x3 meters (approx 100 f^2) via an Act to secure Homesteads on the Isle of Cézembre and thus far there have been 12 grants to individuals and one grant to the Tourism office on this map

[Bentxamì Puntmasleu]

Great ideas, and also it would be interesting if your province would support seasonal occasional non-residential spots in Vuode for those from other locations.

Interesting. What do you mean by that? Something like ceremonial (in the sense of not being entirely physical) vacation/summer/winter homes in Vuode for Talossan citizens from other provinces? Or do you mean something else? In any case, I think it's worth considering. Though of course I can't speak for anyone other than myself, I would think we should be open to experiment with various ideas to reinvigorate our province, so long as it is consistent with our Vuodean and Talossan identity.   

Of note, anyone has the opportunity to claim 3x3 meters (approx 100 f^2) via an Act to secure Homesteads on the Isle of Cézembre and thus far there have been 12 grants to individuals and one grant to the Tourism office on this map

Hmm, I'll look into that.

[xpb]

Great ideas, and also it would be interesting if your province would support seasonal occasional non-residential spots in Vuode for those from other locations.

Interesting. What do you mean by that? Something like ceremonial (in the sense of not being entirely physical) vacation/summer/winter homes in Vuode for Talossan citizens from other provinces? Or do you mean something else? In any case, I think it's worth considering. Though of course I can't speak for anyone other than myself, I would think we should be open to experiment with various ideas to reinvigorate our province, so long as it is consistent with our Vuodean and Talossan identity.   

Great ideas, and also it would be interesting if your province would support seasonal occasional non-residential spots in Vuode for those from other locations.

Interesting. What do you mean by that? Something like ceremonial (in the sense of not being entirely physical) vacation/summer/winter homes in Vuode for Talossan citizens from other provinces? Or do you mean something else? In any case, I think it's worth considering. Though of course I can't speak for anyone other than myself, I would think we should be open to experiment with various ideas to reinvigorate our province, so long as it is consistent with our Vuodean and Talossan identity.   

There had been talk of establishing a Cézembre consulate in Vuode https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=634.msg5009#msg5009

[Bentxamì Puntmasleu]

There had been talk of establishing a Cézembre consulate in Vuode https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=634.msg5009#msg5009

Oh, that seems like a neat idea. I don't see why the Estats Xhenerais couldn't put that on the agenda for the next Grand Session. Do you know why nothing came of it those two or three years ago?

[Tric'hard Lenxheir]

There had been talk of establishing a Cézembre consulate in Vuode https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=634.msg5009#msg5009

Oh, that seems like a neat idea. I don't see why the Estats Xhenerais couldn't put that on the agenda for the next Grand Session. Do you know why nothing came of it those two or three years ago?

Mainly because we did not have any active members in the Estats Xhenerais except for myself and I was brand new to the nation...hell I still don't really understand how everything works

[xpb]

There had been talk of establishing a Cézembre consulate in Vuode https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=634.msg5009#msg5009

Oh, that seems like a neat idea. I don't see why the Estats Xhenerais couldn't put that on the agenda for the next Grand Session. Do you know why nothing came of it those two or three years ago?

Mainly because we did not have any active members in the Estats Xhenerais except for myself and I was brand new to the nation...hell I still don't really understand how everything works

Since then au Repaire des Corsaires has closed, but Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro remains open and would be the best place for our consulate.

Perhaps our esteemed El Zirecteir del Óifisch Rexhital del Tourismeu dal Insulā da Cézembre, @þerxh Sant-Enogat can offer office space within the agency until such time a location in canton Zone Autorisée is selected (be sure to steer clear of the Colosseum area).  One way this could be done is to select a spot within the building previously used by Repaire des Corsaires.

You may also consider selection of your own homestead within canton Zone Intredite.

[Bentxamì Puntmasleu]

How does something like the following seem if it were introduced before the next Grand Session? It has some tweaks to work out and I would appreciate input.

Edit: I have somewhat altered the text of the proposal below, to clarify some wording, etc. The substance is basically the same.

[Bentxamì Puntmasleu]

Local Autonomy Act

An act of the Estats Xhenerais of the United Provinces of Vuode and Dandeberg to establish mechanisms of local autonomy, for the purpose of advancing provincial activity and cultivating contributions to the social, historical, and cultural tapestry of Vuode and of Talossa at large.

Section 1: Localities

(1) The localities of the United Provinces of Vuode and Dandenburg (hereafter referred to as "Vuode") are the parishes and townships.

(2) The names and boundaries of the parishes and townships of Vuode are determined by the Parishes and Township Decree (UPD-2013-001), issued by Éovart Grischun on 7 March 2013/XXXIV.

Section 2: Residence

(1)(a) Residence is the condition of a provincial citizen of Vuode (hereafter referred to as "citizen" unless otherwise noted) of being assigned to a locality, in similar fashion as a citizen of Talossa is assigned to a province.
(b) Residence in a particular township implies residence in the parish in which that particular township is located.
(c) Residence is actual in the case that the personal domicile of a citizen is within the locality in which that citizen resides.
(d) Residence is ceremonial otherwise.
(e) No citizen may reside in more than one township or more than one parish at any given time.
(f) The number of residents in each township must be as close to equal as possible.

(2)(a) Any citizen may publicly petition the Premier of Vuode or another citizen or citizens deputized by the Premier of Vuode for such purposes (both hereafter referred to as "Premier") for residence in a particular township of the petitioner's choosing
(b) Should the petitioner not already reside in a township and should residence by the petitioner in the township of the petitioner's choosing not contradict Section 2(1)(f) of this Act, the Premier will grant the petitioner residence in the township of the petitioner's choosing within a period of no less than seven days and no more than fourteen days.
(c) Any citizen already residing in a township may request to transfer residence by similar process.

(3)(a) Should more than one citizen request residence in a township during the same period specified in Section (2)(2)(b) of this Act, so that Section 2(1)(f) of this Act would be contradicted by the granting of residence to all petitioners, the issue will be resolved by the following protocol.
(b) The petitions of citizens for actual residence will be given priority over the petitions of citizens for ceremonial residence.
(c) Should more than one citizen petition for actual residence in the same township, all such petitioners will be granted residence, regardless of Section 2(1)(f) of this Act.
(d) Should a citizen petition for actual residence in a township in which ceremonial residents already reside, residence will be granted to the petitioner but the ceremonial residents will not be compelled to leave, regardless of Section 2(1)(f) of this Act.
(f) Should more than one citizen petition for ceremonial residence in the same township, residence will be granted to one such petitioner selected at random.

(4) No citizen will be compelled to leave their township of residence except by act of the Estats Xhenerais.

Section 3: Incorporation

(1)(a) The residents of a township may choose to incorporate their township if, by majority vote, they submit a proposed charter to the Premier for approval.
(b) The proposed charter details the proposed mechanisms, institutions, and terminology of local governance.
(c) The proposed charter must be consistent with the principles of democracy and with national and provincial law.
(d) The township is incorporated upon the approval of its charter by the Premier.
(e) Should the Premier deny approval for the proposed charter, or fail to respond within fourteen days of its submission, the residents of the township may appeal to the Estats Xhenerais.

(2) Any parish, in which at least half of the townships are incorporated, may incorporate by the same process.

(3) The Estats Xhenerais has the power to amend or abrogate the charter of any locality, at any time, for any reason.

(4) A locality becomes disincorporated should it no longer contain any residents.

Section 4: Autonomy

(1) An incorporated locality has the right to establish ordinances, in accordance with its charter, that affect matters entirely within its boundaries.

(2) Ordinances may affect matters including, but not necessarily limited to, the establishment of local symbols, the naming of local features, and the proclamation of days of observance.

(3) The Estats Xhenerais has the power to amend or abrogate any ordinance of any locality, at any time, for any reason.

(4) Should a locality become disincorporated, its ordinances will remain established until amended or abrogated by the Estas Xhenerais or, should that locality become reincorporated, by the new local authorities.

Section 5: Records

(1) The Premier will maintain a record of citizens that reside in particular localities and whether such residence is actual or ceremonial.

(2) The local authorities and the Premier will maintain records of the charter and ordinances of incorporated localities, as well as records of local officeholders.

[Bentxamì Puntmasleu]

I intend to propose this bill in the Estats Xhenerais after Grand Session XVI commences.