I’m not sure why everyone is suddenly piling on County Mayor Coppinger for his attempts to instill some fiscal responsibility within county government. Mr. Mayor, I appreciate you looking after my money, thank you.
When the Commission spends their discretionary funds it amounts to $800,000 of my money being spent without me having a voice in it. I only have one representative on the Commission. Imagine if every state representative, state senator, U.S. congressman and U.S. senator had “discretionary” funds to spend as well. I’m sure I’d be happy with the money spent by my representatives in my district but I’m sorry to say I can’t afford to fund everything for everybody.
In reviewing their purchases it appears the Commission has spent some of the funds on very needful items. But…don’t all schools need defibrillators and locks on classroom doors? Shouldn’t that come before the entire body and be done county-wide? I see a lot of funds spent for the volunteer fire departments, again a good cause but shouldn’t all the departments get the same equipment by a majority vote of the Commission?
The money was raised county-wide and the majority vote of the elected representatives of the citizens of the county should be needed to expend the funds. To do otherwise subverts the intended process of government and is wide open to abuse.
State legislators, if this is not illegal now, how about making it illegal in your next session?
Jay Smithers
Harrison