Letter To The Editor: Leadership matters
Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.
On June 5, residents of Mahaska County, including residents who live inside city limits, have an opportunity to choose supervisor candidates to fill two open seats.
As a resident, and former City Council member, I don’t know if anyone who favors higher taxes or wasteful spending. If elected officials within the Mahaska community work together to plan for the future, agree to share resources, and work as partners, taxpayers win.
Over the past two years the City Council has tried to work with supervisors who have refused to discuss, stalled or failed to participate in efforts to improve our shared roadways, construct an animal shelter, provide radio equipment for our emergency personnel and first responders, enter discussions about working together for better city/county management, and continue to participate in a 28E agreement to provide a safe airport to support jobs. In fact, tax dollars are being spent on attorneys to undo agreements intended to cause collaboration.
At the Supervisor candidate forum May 24, candidate Steve Wanders took the position that County Supervisors represent the rural areas and city councils represent city residents. He went on to say our cities and counties should “work independent of one another as far as intermingling funds or anything else”.
We can’t afford to continue working in silos especially since residents and businesses in Oskaloosa, New Sharon, Eddyville and other incorporated cities are also residents and taxpayers of Mahaska County as well.
Two supervisor candidates, Willie VanWeelden and Paul De Geest are proven Mahaska leaders. Willie has worked with the City and voted in favor of collaborating. Paul’s 40 year career in law enforcement, 12 as sheriff, required investigation and listening. Skills we need in the Courthouse.
If leadership matters to you, join me in voting for Paul and Willie on June 5.
Tom Jimenez
