Personal Gratification at the Enterprise

I was more than a little put off by the comment, almost an aside, but very telling in July 17th's Oconee Enterprise editorial, “Voters make good decisions at polls.” The paper said, “Personally we are gratified that all those restaurants and, let’s face it, bars sitting on go for hooch are in for four dry years.”

The meaning of that statement is, of course, that the paper's editors are somehow gratified that the citizens of Oconee County will be denied an expanded selection of dining opportunities for another four years because the will of the few (17% of the county voted in the Republican primary), but well organized, has been expressed at the polls. Rather than each person exercising his and her prerogative to dine where he/she pleases, and refuse to do so at places that serve things to which they object, there is somehow a gratification at preventing others from exercising that prerogative in their home county.

I grant that the anti-alcohol forces are very well organized, and clearly turn-out well when called upon. Their votes are further amplified by the partisan nature of our local elections, and by the countywide election of our commission. I also know that this time around they found common means with those who had other problems with the current commission, though to completely different ends. But why that is all "personally gratifying" to the editorial board, I cannot divine.

Ethan's Summer

OK ... so its not political. But, aw, shucks...

Decision Making is a Process

The Athens Banner-Herald editorialized today (Sunday, July 20) that the Athens-Clarke County Commission was "irresponsible" for their decision to reconsider their earlier budgeting decision to turn of some 1100 streetlights in the county.

I believe their editorial misses the mark, is unfair, but worst of all is counterproductive to good government. It would seem they suggest that either the Commissioners a) forestall all decision making until they have weighed every variable and contemplated every impact each decision might have, and b) once coming to a decision, defend it and maintain it despite any new information that may come to their attention.

Budget cutting is a difficult task in a county that has added more than 12,000 people in the past seven years, and continues to do so. Cuts have real impacts on this community. I am certain the commission was aware that turning off street lights would have an impact, just as they were aware that cutting the street lights avoided other negative impacts. Choosing the lights might have meant not cutting several jobs, for instance, or perhaps not cutting police or fire coverage in some neighborhoods. In the final analysis, it may not be the best place to cut, and our government may have to look elsewhere.

I am pleased, however, to have a government that is willing to go back to the difficult budgeting process and have another look when presented with good reasons for reconsideration. Whether they end up affirming their decision, or changing it, the decision making process will be strengthened for it.