LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Posted October 21, 2020
Dear Editor:
Over the last three years, DeWitt County has had a very controversial topic at hand. As somebody who has watched this controversial battle, I want to point out things I’ve noticed about some of the sitting County Board members.
First, I am not impressed that some of our sitting Board members want everyone to know that they are working together to better DeWitt County. I like independent thinkers and representatives who listen to their constituent’s concerns.
Those who are in Board positions should bring something to the table, such as discussion/conversation, questions, and ideas on how to compromise. For the 5 sitting Board members who are up for re-election, showing up for meetings unprepared and unengaged seems to be a re-occurring habit.
When the same Board members vote exactly the same way as the others every time, and don’t initiate conversation or have any questions about important matters, it leaves voters questioning the ability of these Board members to lead this community.
Earlier this year, the ZBA board experienced 17 nights (over 50 hours) of testimony from those who support and oppose the Alta Farms II windfarm project. Again, as somebody who attended, I witnessed DeWitt County residents come to these meetings night after night, tired from a full day’s work from their own jobs, to listen and testify their concerns.
I can tell you there were 6 County Board members who didn’t even bother to attend these nights. These same folks wanted to be Board members, but wouldn’t attend meetings that were important to their constituents. Their lack of attendance, at least for some of the meetings, should concern everyone.
I will not always agree with how some Board members vote. I accept that. But I cannot accept their desire for voter support now when our County needed them to listen and they failed to do so.
I wanted to hear how they intend to do, prepare and engage better, to thoroughly discuss issues and better represent their constituents in the future. But no. Instead, voters get mailers falsely blaming those who oppose a windfarm for layoffs at a local company. How ridiculous. The behaviors of the Board members running for re-election have been unprofessional, and are not the representation DeWitt County voters need and deserve.
Five sitting Board members are asking for voter’s support for re-election, but because of how these sitting board members have treated their constituents, they deserve to be voted out.
“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up.” – Brene Brown
They didn’t. But you can. VOTE – CARTER, KAMMEYER, PRESTEGAARD, and MEYERS.
Ashley Ooms
Weldon
