Email
Print
All voices needed
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 20, 2009
It would have been nice to see all of the Statesville City Council members in attendance at last night's council meeting. But given the numbers we reported in Sunday's edition of the R&L, it wasn't all that surprising to see one seat empty. At least one council member has been missing at 73 percent of meetings in recent years.
We are extremely sympathetic for the health concerns that have caused several absences on the council and the Iredell County Board of Commissioners. Our elected officials have faced some major personal struggles and everyone wishes them better health.
And most of us take vacations, which is why Councilwoman Paula Steele was absent from last night's meeting.
However, the fact remains that our local elected officials are the public's voice on issues - like the Statesville Downtown and NC 115 Streetscape/Land Use Master Plan - that will shape our community for decades to come.
While we are all one city and one county, different sections have different concerns and priorities. When an official is absent, so is their unique perspective on the needs of those they were elected to represent.
Life has a way of getting in the way of even the best intentions, and few elected officials can have the perfect attendance record of Commissioner Steve Johnson - though all should strive for it.
Voters elected these 14 men and women to speak for them. It's a weighty responsibility and it deserves their representatives' full attention.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
Advertisement
