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Quorum Court meeting reveals need to get involved
To the editor:
I attended the Quorum Court meeting on Tuesday night and there was quite a turnout of people to show support for our sheriff!
The highlight of the meeting was at the start, when a group of young Mississippi County citizens led the entire Court and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, and that was followed up with an inspiring prayer from Rev Echols. That was truly awesome Judge Carney!
Donna Hilton said it was so good to see so many people at the meeting and that usually its just her in the audience. I believe this -- could be part of a problem.
We as citizens need to get more involved if we really care about our futures in the county, myself being as much to blame.
The Quorum Court voted and passed the issue for our sheriff to buy 10 new cars for the next two years. Ten new cars for two years -- that's exactly what the sheriff would get if he would have never asked for some to be purchased. These 10 patrol cars all come with a five-year 100,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, not three years or 36 months. That type of warranty, by itself is going to save us money on repair bills. Purchasing 20 vehicles would have saved the citizens of the county more money in the long run and we would be safer as a county.
Fellow citizens, the county didn't gain any ground in this matter when it comes to protecting and serving us, and here is why:
There are 22 cars in the fleet of 40 at the Sheriff's Department that are turning into money pits and need to be taken out of service.
According to Justice White, the Sheriff's Department in the past has bought five to six cars a year; so as you can see, buying 10 cars now for the car budget for two years, is just plain following the same plan of buying vehicles in the past. This way of purchasing is exactly what has put the department in the shape it is in now for transportation.
After these 10 new patrol cars, the sheriff will have a hard fight to get any more vehicles for the next two years.
This means by the time two years are up, our sheriff deputies will have less transportation to protect and serve our citizens.
How, you might ask, replacing 10 cars of the 22 in need of replacing leaves the department with 12 cars in need of replacing for two years. Truth is, these 12 cars left in service are turning into money pits for repairs and will be lucky to make it through the summer, a time of the year when our deputies are at busiest.
I realized several things Tuesday night. I realized that what takes place in city and county meetings will have an effect on all citizens in Mississippi County.
I realized that it's going to take a lot more of the citizens to get involved to help our county move forward.
I realized that I may not be making as good of an impact on the community by being involved in just community fundraisers and functions; and more importantly, I realized that the next election for the Quorum Court, District 2 is the seat I need to run for if I want my voice and opinion to help Mississippi County.
I'll say it again, may God bless our County!