Author photo

By Jesse Utz 

ONE could solve a lot of problems

Jess Shut Up

 

Last updated 6/18/2014 at 10:32am



If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all. That is what my mother and grandparents told me a lot over my younger years, and I am sure you were told the same. I try and always keep that in mind when I write this little portion of the paper. As well as use that thought process in everyday life.

I have not always been able to do that, I have said unkind things to many loved ones and strangers alike. OK, now that that is off my chest, I have some things to say about things going on in Coulee Country.

We all know that I write a lot about community and what that should look like. Recently I have read, just like you, that some things are going on that are disturbing, to say the very least, in our neck of the woods. It is no secret that, in my opinion and in the opinion of others in the area, that consolidation of the four towns would be “economically smart” and create “smart governing bodies.” We would also get the attention of the four counties by doing this. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that we had already consolidated a few years ago and set aside the details for a monument. Some of the situations happening right now would not even be a thought in our minds.

Let’s start with the law enforcement contract with Electric City. First off, I cannot imagine tripling the cost of coverage for this necessity. That aside, if we were united under one police department for the whole area, we would not have this issue over and over again like a bad song that gets stuck in your head and won’t leave. One chief, one mayor, one council making decisions for the whole area, for the good of all of us. Not just Grand Coulee and what’s good for them or Electric City and what is best for them. The good of all of us should be at the forefront of all decisions. Not to mention the big contract with USBR that has ended up crippling one of our departments and causing a rift between agencies that must rely on each other as a safety matter.

One. Sometimes it can be a big number.

The issue with emergency services in Coulee Dam would have been solved long ago if a united force was governing it. First off, all I am going to say about this is, personnel issues should never be discussed in public forum. Not in the paper or in a council meeting. This issue should be taken care of in the fire house or in the mayor’s office. Granted, the state has stepped in, but the personnel issues should be handled in a private setting.

But with all that being said, if one fire chief or medical director was handling this and staying on top of it, we would not be here right now, tarnishing the good names of many people that have done nothing but good for our community and causing even more strife in a volatile community. One.

All our projects would be better served if we all worked together as One. That includes government, businesses and us as average citizens. If our cities’ coffers were combined and we put a good balance in our council members, people who looked out for the better good of all of our citizens, we would be in a much better place financially. Business would boom, and we’d have a more effective police force, a combined effort in emergency situations and a community that knew where it stood as a whole.

The days of the Tigers vs. Beavers is over. Let’s come together and fix these things for good. One. It is a good number and the beginning of bigger and better things.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024