Dear editor:
I believe Terry and Susie Call have a valid point [regarding municipal recycling] but it can be extended to other areas of services.
Many times people are all for a service as long as they are getting more out of it than they are personally paying for. In other words, they love their pet projects and want others to help shoulder the cost while not being expected to support other projects they find less important to them.
One way to determine the real support for every project is to let those who want that project/service to be the ones to fund it. Suddenly the “need” becomes a “want”and they are not able to pay for it. At that point the “want” project is put aside as it no longer is feasible to those few people interested in it when forced to pay for it.
Things like infrastructure will be winners almost all of the time due to everyone wanting to use it. Elected officials would be well served to be engaged with the people they represent and talk to both those who “want” a service and those who do not favor spending money on that service.
In recent years people have quit attending public meeting due to the leaders giving very little concern to what attendees were saying. That observation is noted when the officials continue to work on other things and pay little attention to what is being said.
One official recently commented he felt he was a punching bag for what was being said. That comes along with public service.
If you want everyone to agree with you it is time to get out of the public service arena. Public servants should be willing and respectful of those who do not agree with their thoughts. It might do them well to consider they have blinders on and don’t wish to acknowledge the views of the constituents they are attempting to represent.
Sincerely,
Arlyn Briggs
Kincaid, Kan.
