I'll See Your Pay Increase and Raise You Two Layoffs

For better than 40-plus years, I have labored in some capacity that has served this Nation and the community where I lived.  This carried with it a lasting, and rewarding history of efforts, both community-based and private.  Over the years of service, it became obvious to me that most disputes can be overcome.  Nevertheless, to do this there must be confidence among people, and trust that tomorrow will be better than today.  Port St. Joe and Gulf County overall, does not have that confidence or trust.  Why?

Working hard toward a shared vision and setting up goals and priorities, individual and group accountability, and evaluating performance all play roles in meeting and overcoming hurdles.  Meet these challenges by interacting with others through respect and proven rules of engagement.  Each action is necessary for our self-governing system to work and for bettering our community.  Often, what I see is not too much give, rather, much taking among community leaders in winning project support or approval.  That is, give and take among themselves, and not so much for the taxpaying citizen.  Glad-handing politicians with smiling faces tell you anything you want to hear.  Nevertheless, look out; there is little-to-no respect for citizens of Gulf County.  Me, me, me…pay your taxes and be silent.  Back-door politics over coffee remains an effective tool for many instead of sanctioned public meetings to discuss and make changes.  Meetings nowadays are a mere legalistic formality.  District power – that is what it is all about. 

Any local, state, or federal leader not willing to listen to the people or decide matters based on factual information, or play by the governing statues must be voted out of public office.  I think several local commissioners (city and county) lack fundamentals needed to recognize, face, and overcome present-day challenges. Their stubbornness, in combination with their resolve not to listen to the citizens, has presented us with a clear lack of wisdom. Poor behavior, misconduct, and neglect for, the people, and their own decision-making skills, or lack of, is the continued hallmark pattern they follow.

Unfortunately, this behavior plays into some from the community who would look to tear down or reduce infrastructure because they never learned how to build up our community.  A low bar for achievement and inability to look outside narrowly defined tunnel vision eyes limits choices, solutions, and, in fact, recognition of problems and concerns of the county.  Leadership often heads in a wrong direction by lacking openness, fair dealing, and mainly an understanding of the complex issues facing our city and counties.  Even when new people sit in the council chairs, none of the issues before them have changed or gone away.

I do not support the limited public description, philosophy, or attitudes of the commission majority.  What idiot allowed the multimillion dollar water plant to be built, become certified, and without any forethought about the distribution system.  My water testimony is that it still turns brown, discolors the toilet, and taste horrible without home filtration.  Besides that, Gulf County still needs countywide voting.  Certain politicians need removal from office.  What keeps this county from having countywide voting?  A previous referendum proved the citizens voted favorably to change the current voting method.  Why wasn't the voting referendum allowed?  Is it because several officials know point-blank they will be out of office in a country boy minute?  Nevertheless, how can a few power hungry individuals keep this from happening?  No one should have this much influence and power.  On the other hand, is someone else to blame?  If so, who?  Please tell me.  I would like to know the scoop on this controversial topic.

Each public official not supporting a countywide vote should give serious thought to resigning and not completing their present term; however, a sense of kinship responsibility for their district holdings, rather than the greater good of all, precludes this.  Politicians, unless proven honest beyond question and God-fearing, don't impress me.  In my younger years, I would have sought to help energize and find voice for the citizens who do wish to build on our past and improve our future through the creativity, energy, spirit, compassion, and goodness of our wonderful people of Port St. Joe and Gulf County. 

Regardless, the vote of "We the People" must become the decision maker in this county, this Nation, and not the elected officials.  I ask, has anyone in Port St. Joe or Gulf County ever seriously chased getting this antiquated mythology of back-door politics and no countywide voting changed?  Citizens, perhaps it is time.  A few elected officials have stated they will work hard for the people and represent them.  Okay, show us what you got.  Watchful eyes are on you. 

Meanwhile, I encourage the citizens of Gulf County to continue with community discussions and active participation to find a way to change bureaucratic systems.

Ed McAteer is a resident of Port St. Joe