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Blytheville city government needs to serve citizens
To the editor:
After attending the public ward meeting on Saturday, April 27, 2013, hosted by Councilman R.L. Jones, I've learned that many of the citizens are not satisfied with some of the actions or lack thereof on the part of the Blytheville city government. Contrary to what the "State of the City" address indicated, all is not well, and according to most attending, their efforts to make their concerns known have been either hampered or ignored completely with false promises.
Complaints ranging from unsightly and substandard abandoned properties, stray animals, non-competitive hiring practices (cronyism), inaccessibility of elected officials and unregulated government spending were voiced.
Any elected official, regardless of the level of government, has an obligation to do what is best for the good of all. When ordinances are enacted, they not only should be consistently and without prejudice acted upon, consideration should be given in reference to how the people will be affected before they are passed. There should be checks and balances within the established rules of conduct to not only assure adherence to certain ethical standards, but also to preserve a democratic system of government and prevent any one person from ruling.
The citizens have a right to assume, for those elected officials, that not only are they familiar with the duties the office entails, they uphold the rights of the people they represent. This includes making themselves accessible or establishing a means of contact whereby the people they represent may communicate with them and given serious consideration to their concerns which may sometimes require action on their part.
A deficiency by even one member of the legislative and/or enforcement results in a defect to the entire body; it is not fully functional to its greatest capacity. A kingdom or government divided against itself cannot stand. As different members chip away at the foundation of established rules, it will eventually crumble. Laws or ordinances are established for regulatory purposes. When they are not adhered to, they are worthless and no more than meaningless words in print.
If the goal of city officials is to make Blytheville a better place to live for all of its residents, they must be consistent and fair in their actions; something that will be witnessed by and a testimonial for all.
Trust is a commodity more valuable than silver or gold. Unlike money or other valuables, once it is lost, it's almost impossible to regain. Hopefully, each person affiliated with the operation of this city will consider that the livelihood of its residents have been entrusted with them and is affected by their actions (or lack thereof).
Our system of government was never intended to be an instrument of self will nor should it be a mechanism for personal gain. It was established to be a system for the people, by the people, and of the people.