‘Opinion’ Category
-
Editorial: Campaign Promises Fade Fast
1May 19, 2013 by wcobserver
It’s a story as old as the stump speech; as predictable as a photo op and handshake. The candidate for public office musters all his/her sincerity, looks the voter straight in the eye and makes a promise. It’s always something the voter wants to hear. Something the candidate hopes will drive the vote into her camp. Then, at some point after the election when the political emphasis turns from the pre election excitement to the mundane world of day-to-day governing the promise that seemed so useful in winning votes often becomes yesterdays news and is relegated to the back pages of public interest. It happens at every level of electoral politics. National politics, of course, gets the brightest spotlight on campaign promises and their breakage. Sometimes the public seems concerned, other times, not so much. It’s a moot issue anyway. The candidate got into office and one broken promise is not likely to unseat them. It’s just part of the game. Local politics is a reflection of national politics. State houses, county courthouses and yes, city halls are not without their own campaign promise breakers. Take West Fork. for example.
Read More...Category Editorials, West Fork | Tags: city clerk, Marsha Hungate, promises
-
Editorial: Curious Clearing on Elkins Street
3March 29, 2013 by wcobserver
For a couple of days a few weeks ago a crew of city workers with chain saws and heavy equipment cleared a fence line on Elkins Street in northeast West Fork. The fence line is on property, coincidently, is owned by West Fork’s Ward 3 Council member Anita Lowry. There are several lingering questions about the project.
Read More...Category Editorials, News, West Fork | Tags:
-
Editorial: Remember Last November
2March 27, 2013 by wcobserver
On November 6, 2012 the voters of West Fork overwhelmingly approved this ballot initiative: An initiative to Repeal West Fork City Ordinance 79, as amended by Ordinance 86; the City of West Fork is hereby authorized and directed to do everything necessary, proper, and expedient to dissolve the West Fork Waterworks and Sewer Commission, and establish a West Fork Municipal Water and Sewer Department overseen by the Mayor and City Council, to undertake the obligations and responsibilities of the West Fork Waterworks and Sewer Commission The Initiative that the voters approved by two thirds, instructed the City Council “to do everything necessary, proper, and expedient” to dissolve the current autonomous commission and have the water/wastewater utility brought under City oversight. It is the responsibility of the City Council, with the advice of the City Attorney to write an ordinance that will best accommodate the expressed wishes of the majority of voters and serve the citizens of West Fork for years to come. The City Council ignored the voters. Sit and take it or stand up.
Read More...Category Editorials, West Fork | Tags:
-
Facebook Fury Fuels Fright
1March 11, 2013 by wcobserver
Ouch. Faulty fact checking on our part seems to have ignited a firestorm of wrath aimed at the Observer from facebookers. We posted a humorous editorial; (“Honey, Call Our Broker”) one that mentioned “humorous fabrication” and included a reprint of an article from a past April Fool edition (“West Fork Vote Dissolves City”). The source of the intended fun was a bogus letter about am offer to buy West Fork’s city hall.
Read More...Category Editorials, West Fork | Tags:
-
Letter to Editor: Professional Procedures Lacking
2February 22, 2013 by wcobserver
Dear Editor of the Observer, I have thought long and hard about writing this letter, but I think I have something to say to other West Fork citizens, out there, who just might listen. I moved to West Fork about four years ago, but I have deep ties here through family members who have lived in this area for a very long time. In those four years, especially in the last five months, I have learned things about our city government that concern me.
Read More...Category Letters to the Editor, West Fork | Tags:
Loading ...