Letter To The Editor: I have heard from over 2,000 constituents

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

On December 21st the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors (BOS) received a petition signed by nearly 900 residents of Mahaska County requesting the BOS to set a date for election. This would extend collection of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). The BOS set that election for May 3, 2016.
In the following weeks, I have had conversations and meetings with hundreds of residents regarding ballot language. With very few exceptions, the public sentiment is to include ballot language that allocates funds for road projects as well as construction of an Environmental Learning Center at Caldwell Park. At the heart of the most contentious discussion is whether the BOS should include ballot language that includes funds for constructing a new Recreation and Early Childhood Education Facility.

As a representative of all county residents, it is very difficult to find the overall public sentiment for this particular project. I have heard from over 2,000 constituents who from both view points regarding funding the Recreation and Early Childhood Education Facility by various forms of communication.

When two competing sides of the electorate make compelling cases for or against a project, it makes it very difficult to discern what is acceptable. I take my affirmation to uphold the Iowa Constitution very seriously. In Article I. Section II. of the Iowa Constitution is says, “All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right, at all times, to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.”

There is an opportunity to allow all of the constituents in the unincorporated area of Mahaska County to determine their support for this project through a vote. Through the voting process, everybody who is eligible to vote will have a voice. The process is designed to determine the will of the majority. Therefore, I proposed a resolution that includes ballot language supporting all three projects. I have faith in the Mahaska County voters to make the right decision. I encourage everyone to get out and vote tomorrow, May 3rd!

Mark Doland

Posted by on May 2 2016. Filed under Editorial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

Comments are closed

         

Search Archive

Search by Date
Search by Category
Search with Google
Log in | Copyright by Oskaloosa News