Editor,

San Mateo County is carved into 20 separate cities, two dozen school districts and dozens of special districts. Everyone, regardless of where they live, benefits by having a Board of Supervisors that looks out for the interests of the entire county.

In San Mateo County voters directly elect all five of their Supervisors, not just one. At the same time each region of the county is ensured representation because supervisors must live within a separate geographic district. It’s the best of both worlds.

Critics want to change our system: Measure B on the Nov. 6 ballot would take away your right to pick all five of your representatives.

San Mateo County is the best governed county in California. If you find this hard to believe, take a trip to the state Capitol and ask around. Or look at our bond rating, which is the highest in the state.

Our award-winning innovations in health care delivery, children’s health coverage and environmental health earn us the admiration of state and federal legislators and administrators alike. These services, like so many others provided by the county, are regional in scope. They should be governed by a body that is regional in its perspective, not parochial.

A change to the way we elect our supervisors is a solution in search of a problem. It’s not worth risking our collaborative and consensus-driven approach to governing. It’s not worth diminishing your voice and your influence as a voter.

Vote no on Measure B.

Carole Groom

Rose Jacobs Gibson

The letter writers are members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.