Public Servants?

 

(Editorial by Dave Schmidt for the Mercer County Outlook)

 

I worked for Celina Municipal Utilities for 30 years and retired.  I always thought it was a privilege to serve the folks of Celina, from being a meter reader to ending my stay at the city as Director of Administrative Services.  Over those thirty years you learn many things, some good and some bad.  The bad usually came from the “political” things that took place.  Most of the times it wasn’t pretty and it could make the efforts to do what was best for the citizens of Celina become sidetracked. 

 

It still amazes me today about how things can get so “wacky” from a person becoming a regular “citizen” to someone who would later hold a high position in city government or become an elected official. What we say or do before we reach that position can be completely different after we get the job or win the election.  When living in a small community like Celina it doesn’t take long to see the changes, because everyone knows everything about everyone.  All of sudden little things that could have been taken care of in a professional manner became subjects for the next edition of “60 Minutes”.  I speak from experience and I am as guilty as the next guy, but it was something I would try to build on the next time it happened.  I also had to learn that “personal” and “professional” are completely different matters.  Just because I don’t like someone or they didn’t like me should not cause me to make a choice that will be bad for the community. 

 

By operating the Outlook I have learned a lot about the politicians in Celina and Mercer County.  When we first started to do the Outlook we emailed and asked local government agencies to send us releases, reports, etc to post on our site.  We were surprised at the response we got back from some local “public servants” and even more surprised that they were unwilling to send us anything (some even promised to work with us).  However; I learned to appreciate other “public servants” who went out of there way to keep us in the loop and work with us.  If you are a regular reader you can distinguish between those who help us and those who do not.  A “public servant” should be a good part of the “entire” community, not just those they like or want to work with.

 

Recently there have been many strange things happening in Mercer County politics, a person runs for an office only to vacate that office after they win to take a higher position in government.  Mercer County could soon be looking to replace a commissioner if a current commissioner gets his wish.  Did that commissioner just win another full-term in November?  Commitment to getting the job done?  Now the problem arises, if the commissioner leaves who will fill his spot for the remaining term?  Hey being a commissioner is a great job representing the folks in Mercer County.  Look at the advantages you can get from taking this job, good pay, good retirement, flexible schedule, etc. Not a bad deal?

 

Now the fun part comes for those in local politics.  I would love to be a “little mouse” and be in on some of the talks going on to this point to find a new commissioner. All of the local eating establishments from the Fountain to the Orchard Tree will have there opinion on this deal. We may even need Howie M to help us in the end, “Deal or No Deal”.  Do you remember when you were in High School during Homecoming Week?  All of the senior girls who wanted to be the next Homecoming Queen would smile and be friendly, even to the lowly freshmen.  I can guarantee you that is happening already with those wanting this job for the future.  Many folks do not realize that I live in Rockford, Illinois and operate the Outlook, but I can already give you a list of those folks, especially from Celina who want that job.  This jockeying for position for the job happened as soon as the election in November was a done deal.

 

You as a resident and voter should be the one to select those who will replace a person that vacates an office, not a group or committee.  So the next time someone asks you for your vote, ask them if they plan on being there after they win. You should also ask them if they plan on working with everyone or only those who support there views.  You also need “public servants” who want to work with you on issues not dismiss you as someone who doesn’t know the “whole story” or “if you don’t like it, that’s too bad” an attitude person.  Those of you who are not involved in local politics, that’s ok, but you still need to make your voice heard on important subjects.   The final thought is – You are the boss in the community, not the government official, that’s why they are called “public servants”, to serve you.

 

 

(if you would like to reply to this editorial please email us at admin@mercercountyoutlook.com – if you want the reply to appear in the Outlook we will print your name only)