I've been reading some passionate appeals in another local online news publication for UNITY in county government. One such appeal was made by Jeff Noedel, a local online daily "news" site publisher. Another similar appeal was made by Brian Chorley, a Hermann alderman and new contributing writer to Mr. Noedel's "news" site.
The great thing about the USA is that we are all free to express our divergent personal viewpoints. I've given this UNITY thing some thought. Now I'd like to express my viewpoints on the subject.
As for me, I too would like to see UNITY and HARMONY in our local governments, in both county and city governments. Who wouldn't want to see cooperation, collaboration and UNITY of purpose? That would of course make us all "feel" warm and fuzzy, and we might even be lulled into "feeling" that everything is well and good in the way our local governments are being managed.
But what IF that cooperation, collaboration and UNITY of purpose came at the expense of HONESTY and EFFICIENCY in our local goverments? Would that be a good thing? No, I don't think so! Yes, we might temporarily "feel" warm and fuzzy. But if our tax money was not being spent as efficiently and effectively as possible or if our elected officials were taking care of their own self-interests or the self-interests of their friends and relatives rather than taking care of the broader interests of all taxpayers, then the UNITY that some are calling for would have been purchased at a very high price!
Yes, it does "feel" good to be FAT, DUMB and HAPPY! But, do you want to be FAT, DUMB and HAPPY or would you rather rest assured knowing that the people representing you in your local governments are fighting for your best interests as a taxpayer rather than cooperating and perhaps even colluding together to protect the best interests of a select few? Do you want your elected representatives to "roll over" and go right along with others just for the sake of UNITY? Or do you want your elected representatives to fight for your best interests as a taxpayer ..... even if doing so means going against the flow and stepping on some toes at times?
I find it rather peculiar that we hear these self-rightous calls for UNITY right on the heels of the very heated and public debate over the bidding out of the county's tire and tire services purchases. The new "no-bid" tire purchasing program which Presiding Commissioner Ron Jost and Southern District Associate Commissioner Jerry Lairmore have proposed and voted into effect is, in my considered opinion, wrong and misguided. Northern District Assoicate Commissioner Matt Penning tried to point this out to his colleagues on the County Commission, but he was out-voted 2-1. I suppose Noedel and Chorley, if they were truly objective, might say that Penning is more interested in HONESTY and EFFICIENCY of government than he is in UNITY amongst the three county commissioners. But they don't even give Penning credit for this. Instead they attempt to lead the reader into believing that Penning is carrying on some personal feud. And that, my friends, is just DISHONEST reporting on their parts!
Commissioner Penning is making his stand for HONESTY and EFFICIENCY in county goverment. Jost and Lairmore are apparently making their stand for the protection of Jost's family tire business in Owensville. Jost and Lairmore have had their say in open sessions of the County Commission. Penning has likewise had his say. And soon, the voters in Gasconade County will have their say!
And ya know what? In the final analysis, it's not going to matter one tiny hill of beans what Messrs. Noedel and Chorley have had to say about UNITY in county goverment!
Performance Metrics:
Total # FREE Subscribers: 000,345
Total # Premium Subscribers: 000,029
Total # Ultra Premium Subscribers: 000,004
Total # Platinum Lifetime Subscribers: 000,003
Subscribers Currently Online: 000,096
New Visitors Currently Online: 000,032
Alexa U.S. Traffic Ranking: 166,157
Total # Subscriber Telethons, Raffles & Bake Sales: 000,000
Reciprocal Websites:
www.bergerbaloneywithmayo.blogspot.com/ (Berger News)
www.dschaefer.vemma.com/ (Ultra Premium Nutritional Drinks)
www.heart2heartlyrics.blogspot.com/ (Song Lyrics)
www.hermannhookups.blogspot.com/ (Social Networking)
www.mid-missouri-mule-rides.blogspot.com/ (Family Fun)
www.ngnn.com/ (Hermann, New Haven and Owensville NEWS)
www.rivertownrecipes.blogspot.com/ (Food & Drink Recipes)
www.vemmadrinker.blogspot.com/ (Premium Nutritional Drinks)
www.watkinsonline.com/richardhschaefer (Watkins Products)
Non-Reciprocal Websites:
www.dorasspinningwheel.com/ (Embroidered Caps, Shirts, Etc.)
www.hermannadvertisercourier.com/ (The Hermann A-C)
www.hermannchamberofcommerce.com/ (Hermann C of C)
www.timeforpie.com/ (Pie, Rolls, Scones, Coffee, Lattes & More)
Politicians should speak the TRUTH and let the chips fall where they may. Tippy-toeing around and kowtowing to the demands of the entrenched power group is a recipe for disaster! UNITY ain't worth a HOOT IN HELL if it leads you down the tubes!
ReplyDeleteThurston B. Howell III
I'm from Owensville, and I can't reveal my name for fear of retaliation. But I will tell you that Gasconade County needs to dump Jost in favor of Larry Miskel. This county is not going anywhere, unity or not, until we dump Jost! Jost is not a leader. Jost is not creative. Jost is not a visionary. Jost is not getting the job done for Gasconade County!
ReplyDeleteJimmy,
ReplyDeleteYou just have to wonder why Noedel and Chorley are pushing this UNITY theme so hard? Do they really want Matt Penning to roll over and become Jost's and Lairmore's lapdog?
Chauncey P. Etherton, Jr.
I don't want to "feel" good. I want my tax dollars spent wisely! I'm another Owensville resident who is fed up with both Jost and Lairmore!
ReplyDeleteIf I wanna sing 'Kum Bay Yah', I'll go back to Camp Aurora, my old church camp down near Lebanon, MO.
ReplyDeleteI want the County Commissioners looking out for taxpayer money. If you have a financial conflict of interest, you ought not be voting on a motion which your buddy puts before the Commission! Pitiful! Probably illegal as hell!
Jost and Lairmore need to go!
ReplyDeleteJimmy I'm glad your all back to work! Fred and I are back to work hauling Beer, Mule sittin don't pay alot. I see more people in the south want Jost and Larimore out! As soon as we git back to Missouri I'll be back campaining for Larry Miskell. Cletus
ReplyDelete