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Show County government To the Editor: As I muse upon the numerous community issues that confront us and the political questions that arise therefrom, whether the matter be one involving the County, the School Board, the City, the Water and Sewer District, almost all of the raw vexations that irritate the public may be attributed to down right venality. And while such a definition might seem a trifle "intellectual" or airy for the arena of politics, still when all the matters of discussion arising therein, whatever, the nuance or shading of the issue, the actions of the shading of the issue, the actions of the dominant office-holders can aptly described by such a term. But even such a general term does not begin to properly arraign the chicane of these officials, for our community literally swarms with avaricious and "venal" politicians, of whatever ideological shading, who are not at all timid at "feathering their own nest" at the expense and to the detriment of the common weal. And what perplexes me is not only the wanton arrogance and naked cupidity of these office-holders, but the supine indifference with which the citizens of this community stand mute and indifferent to such outrages. And noting this, it is bewildering for one to focus criticism on some of the more blatant of such mis-doings by some grasping office-holder, only to have the reporters of the local media mute these protests while unctiously trumpeting the ostentatious evasions and apoligies of the offending politicians, and similarly it is disgusting to note the manner which this coeterie advertises its hypocracy to the public. And now, to aggravate indignation, to add insult to injury and arrogance to offense, a movement is under way to install these same self-serving and grasping politicians in public office for four years in order to given them a "whitewash" and a license to continue in that term of office their ubridled cupidity. And given the present orientation of affairs, the covention-primary set-up that prevails in our state, and noting the manipulation and chicane that can be exerted upon the mass-meetings, the inertia that prevails amongst the general run of the citizenry, it is not only likely but highly probably that the 'ruling "junta" of politicians that control the dominent party of this county will maneuver these same discredited and unworthy politicians into positions of political power before the public can be aroused from their lethargy to do anything about it. And if the past is any criteria, the reporters of news will assist this little clique of self-servers self-servers in drawing a curtain over this malodorous mess that "stinks to high heavan" and cries for reform. Belatedly, however, a few determined citizens, disgusted at this servile yielding to the flagrant abuse of public power by local office holders are busy recruiting willing citizens to stand for public office in at least four of the positions for contest in this fall's election: the Four Year Commissioner, Two Year Commissioner, County Attorney and County Sheriff. And while to the cynical and self-serving who have enjoyed the fruits of favor and power for so long, this effort might seem akin to lifting a flickering candle flame to a whirlwhind, hoping that it ' will not die out, still there is principle, and to a sense of idealism so long disregarded, such is rewarded by the sense that these aspirants at least afford an avenue of expression to the heretofore muted prostest of the offended citizens of this community. And such as, such as expression of indignation and protest, no matter how weak, will ultimately be rewarded when the slumbering and offended sense of decency arises as must to smite the venality that in County Government has so long prevailed. Respectifully yours, ALVIN G. NASH Atty. at Law |