City government affects peoples’ lives
City government is probably the most important unit of local government in present-day America. Local governments in the United States include counties, parishes, towns, townships, villages, boroughs and cities. More Americans live under city government than any other unit of local government.
City government handles a variety of problems. City garbage and trash collections must operate efficiently. City government is also responsible for public safety, street lighting, fire department, water supply, traffic signals, sewage systems, crossing guards and other services.
Locally elected officials and individuals who serve on locally-appointed government boards should have the public’s interest as their primary focus. The city of Selma continues to witness “economic spoilers.” Economics spoilers are persons who use their elected or appointed public offices to supplement their household income. It is inconceivable that some members of the Selma City Council recently voted “yes” to increase the supplement of members of the Selma Water Works and Sewer Board. The city’s police department cries for an increased budget in order to recruit and retain quality police officers. Public safety is of utmost importance.
The city has also been dubbed street “Potholes Capital U. S. A.” The buddy system to raise the supplement for the water board is a slap in the face or blow to the chin to citizens of the city. Obviously, local voters are not taken seriously. However, the citizens of Selma can make a change in city government during the municipal election in August 2016.
An individual, who refuses to work unless he or she is retired, should be scrutinized if they qualify to run for public office. Selma cannot afford a government leech or a person with a vagabond mentality to hold an elected or appointed position. The city’s coffers should not be exploited by “government looters.” Their actions will further cripple city government. I trust that no one is contemplating an increase in supplement for members of the city council and the Selma City School Board.
Protect minors from toxic smoke
I have no extra coins to donate to the U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz's “emergency” fundraising $1 million request for his retaliation to the cartoon about his children. However, I would donate a pint of 63-year-old blood, if children-caring presidential candidate Cruz would add to his “campaign promise list” a national anti-smoking law to protect minors in vehicles from toxic tobacco smoke (TTS). Shouldn’t all American kids be “off-limits” from TTS?
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