Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive
If it were possible to talk away violent crime, pollution and a bad economy, these things would not be taking place in Mason County. But they are.
In an effort to distract from the issues, citizens are made to endure the occasional official self-congratulation and interdepartmental awards. But the only real measure of how a community is doing is how people feel about their safety, their prospects for the future and their overall well-being.
County Commissioners tell us that times are tough and cutbacks to services are necessary. But the fact is current cash/investment have exceeded expenditures in each of the past three years, with reserves now at $7.2M, a six year high. For whatever reason, Commissioners would like us to think we can’t even afford a full time receptionist at the County Administrative building; walk into the lobby on any Friday and you are greeted only by your own echo.
Have a concern? Don’t bring it to a County Commission meeting, unless you want to be drowned under a wave of excuses, ranging from “Our hands are tied” to “You’re misinformed". If you happen to represent a special interest group, however, you can expect to have the County Comprehensive Plan amended to accommodate your needs.
Given all the attention to special interests, you’d think they were the primary source of revenue, but you’d be wrong; the County budget is balanced on the backs of ordinary citizens who dutifully pay their property taxes to the tune of over $68M in 2011 (over $70M, if you include property excises tax).
Why is all this so important? Because the job of local government is to protect the citizenry, provide services and create public policies that benefit the community at large, not cater to special interests. When it comes to the contract of taxes vs. public services, ordinary citizens are getting the short end of the stick.
Am I being unfair? Perhaps. But ask yourself this question: In public policy decisions involving safety, jobs, growth and the environment, are your concerns being addressed? Now ask yourself the same question, only this time imagine you have political influence and pocket full of money.
Ordinary people are the heart and soul of Mason County. Not big business, not the politicians, and certainly not special interests. It is ordinary people doing extraordinary things that make our county a place worth living in. And it is ordinary people who can bring a sense of community back by electing the right people.
SHELTON BLOG NOTE:
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THE PUBLIC IS INVITED
By electing the right people indeed!
ReplyDeleteJerry Lingle surprised me (I worked for Brenda's campaign). Jerry became a really good, citizen-oriented, problem-solving county commissioner. He will be hard to replace, especially with the weak field of candidates seeking his seat. Thankfully, whoever is elected to fill his seat will only be there for two years. Also, if we are really, really, really, lucky (and we work our tails off), whoever replaces Jerry will be balanced out by quality commissioners like Roslyn Reed and Denny Hamilton.
However, our good candidates will not be elected if we sit on our couches.
We have to stand up and wave signs and make phone calls, host meet and greets, and DONATE our hard earned dollars to fund the campaigns of our qualified candidates.
We have the opportunity to change the face of the Board of County Commissioners. We have the opportunity to elect some commissioners who care about the citizens before local special interests and moneyed timber barons.
If you want to be sure the primary in August is a huge success for the CITIZENS, come join us tonight (June 21st) at the fire hall at 6:00.
Many hands make light work and we have some heavy lifting to do!
True dat.
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