A declaimer before this letter: I am writing this because of talk on the street I have heard of late. I am being kind in my remarks, to what the street talk is. No accusations meant, just some information needed to explain our current financial situation.
Transparency is a word thrown around a lot lately when public officials talk. It is important for the taxpayers to be informed when so many are living off the taxpayers dime.
I was in attendance at the city council meeting when the news broke that the city had a $800,800 deficit. Shock by many on the council is an understatement. I observed the expressions on their faces. Some might say fuzzy math, others say mismanagement and others, incompetence. What is the answer? Nearly half a million dollars in overtime pay to our first responders, because of three shootings? I didn’t know our police and firemen were understaffed that much. We are 10 officers short from the authorized 70 at the police department, but I was not aware of a fireman shortage. I am not critical of either department and am thankful for their dedication to keep us safe, but how long has this drain being going on? Transparency? All I ever heard at the council meeting was, sale tax revenues were down, but nothing about a growing deficit until it was made public recently. This makes one to wonder what else is going on. Our infrastructure needs addressing, but if Columbus is running this kind of deficit, we’ll have to live with potholes in our streets and other maintenance being neglected.
With the integrity of some in leadership in question, now Columbus has the competency of others in the city government in question. I love Columbus, but expect more out of our leaders. If taxes are raised, which is inevitable to get us out of this mess, let us have some transparency and more accountability from city leaders. It is our money you spent; transparency and answers is all the public wants.
We need to work together, but we need good leadership to get us out
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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