Time to Begin - Again!

      by Ron West

        The election is over and nothing changed! 

        4600 citizens of NRH deserve our thanks and appreciation for their active participation in our local government as shown by their actual vote!  Even though the vote went against the challengers that I supported, I am gratified that more of our citizens did vote than has been the case in prior off year elections.

        As the incumbents indicated, their vision for the city continues unhampered.   Perhaps, they will consider the voice of the 1800 or so voices of opposition - but they have not done so in the past.   Maybe we can hope for some slight opening of the local government such as telling us about ordinances before they pass them!   Maybe Lewis and Compton will live up to their campaign statements indicating that they will consider lowering taxes if possible.  We can hope that this might mean that some of the taxes and revenue from new development will be used to lower the tax rate rather than just increase spending as has been the pattern of the past 12 years.  With a little bit of luck, maybe, some of the council will actually question the slush fund that represents over 20% of our property taxes.

    I would be comforted to really know what the $360,000 write off for ambulance service is for this year, wouldn't you?   I would also like to understand where Mr. Cunningham got the authority to transfer more money out of the slush fund to building services by nearly $200,000 more than approved in the budget.  I would also like to know where the rest of the slush fund that has not been accounted for is going.  I hope that is not too much to ask of the incumbents now that they can devote more time to city business rather than the election.

    I wonder if the voters who voted for the incumbents are for more informative council agendas so that we know what is planned for council meetings?  If they are, then maybe a call to one of the winners to tell them that is in order.

    Did the present contract that allows our City Attorney to personally benefit from his position get approved by this election?  Boy, I hope not!  It wouldn't take much to change that contract to provide for outside council for litigation so that it would not encourage suits against the city just to benefit our present city attorney.

     No, as I reflect back on the election, I know my side lost, but I know too, that it is not the time to quit.  Since the "vision" continues, so will the abuses of our citizens and all the other activities that stirred up the voters in the first place.  It was our own apathy that allowed our current council majority to proceed down the current path.  When we don't watch what is happening, they will do things we don't like.  Just as a heads up - anyone with a current Agricultural Zoning - would do well to pay attention to P&Z meetings in the near future.  There is discussion going on about "tightening" up this zoning at the direction of our Mayor.

    If the seniors go back to sleep, the council still has time to monkey with the over 65 exemption before the freeze in fully in place.   If the RV owners go back to sleep, this is the same majority that tried to run all boats, RV, jet-skis, trailers and other vehicles out of our city, and they still think they are ugly!  If all of us quit, then please know that all new development and all new fees received by the city in the future will be directed to new spending without any consideration of tax relief.  It is probably a really good time to attend a few council meetings or at least watch them on City Cable Channel 7!

    There is some sadness on my part in that the election became a battle of citizens against citizens rather than a meaningful discussion of the issues.  I guess that is the nature of politics and it often is not pretty.

    Yes the election is over and the voters have spoken.  Now we have to wait and see what the incumbents and their vision interpret that speaking to mean.  I hope everyone who voted will stay in touch with their respective council members just to insure that their real vision is what you really expect. 

    Elections like this are very tiring and the losers are always sad - but - real progress that benefits all citizens often takes long term dedicated effort.  This election was another step attempted towards restoring the local government to the citizens with real open government.  The majority of the voters did not see this as an issue of importance.  Based on prior performance of the incumbents, some of their supporters may have cause to change their minds in the future as the vision is revealed. 

    Regardless of fatigue or disappointment, it is time to begin once more to make sure that your voice is heard!   In our city of about 65,000 people, only 4600 were heard.  We need to encourage the other 60,000 to put their 2 cents worth in by voting.  It IS time to begin once more!