The Shadow
Dear Editor,
After many months of following the consolidation issue, merging the city of Covington and the county of Alleghany, and reading the thoughts of fellow citizens in this newspaper, and attending one of the consolidation forums, I must throw in my food for thought.
Right up front I am of the opinion that most folks have already made their personal choice of how they are casting their vote. I have decided to vote No on the question of consolidation. Please allow me to explain.
I have to acknowledge the efforts and time to the committee, for their dedication in putting the plan together. Most of these folks are close friends of mine; however, I feel that the plan is watered down and incomplete on some important issues. I am concerned first of all that some folks slam our city and county elected officials. You put these folks in office to represent you and then some folks spend the next four years of their term condemning them.
If they have raised some questions on the consolidation plan, then by golly listen. I do not always agree with things that come before our elected officials, but I go to the source for clarification. How many folks that have problems with their stance on issues have actually made contact with them? My hats off to them.
I was of the understanding that part of the consolidation proposal was to work together in attracting economic development through cooperation. At the meeting on Tuesday, October 11 at the Life Care Center on Fudge Street, I never heard the very first word mentioned about the economic conditions. It isn’t anything that we have done wrong in our area with business and industry, as it is a nationwide problem. There are many rural and metropolitan areas that are vying for jobs and feeling the pinch, however, it is our concern to fight for our community.
Consolidation is not the answer, working together, each and every one of us, is the answer. I read the other day in your letters column where the areas around us are expanding and growing and we are not. Do you honestly think consolidation helped them? They all do have problems, however, their citizens and elected officials work together, not throw negatives to progress.
Also, to the professional healthcare workers who wrote to your newspaper about shaking baby disasters because of depressed areas such as ours. That was just plain wrong and I am very disappointed in such a cowardly move. Domestic and child violence is a worldwide problem from some very sick minded folks and has nothing to do with time and place.
I have got my gut full of listening to folks who are in favor of consolidation say to folks who are not in favor, “you do not want change”. You are dead wrong. The Webster’s dictionary does not mention once in the definition of consolidate, the word change. I assure you that citizens opposed to the consolidation want change as much as the rest of the citizens, however, again it is all about putting down the weapons and working together for a positive future. Several folks that I have spoken to as well as myself, are not opposed to consolidation, we are just opposed to the current proposed plan, and I think that is also what some of your elected officials are trying to tell you.
If you have read the proposed plan, you will see that it mentions many times in the article the word “recommended.” It is what it is, meaning a new city council may change any or all of the recommendation articles, or worse, delete them. This is a smoke screen and some folks are overlooking this. Please take time and read and absorb the plan.
When I asked some of the committee or folks in favor of the plan, I could not get a definite answer on certain issues.
The committee proposed one government consolidated; however, there will still be three (3) governments in the area. My biggest problem with the plan is law enforcement and protection of the 20,000 plus citizens.
We have a great city police department and an outstanding sheriff’s department, however the reason the committee looked at the sheriff’s department concept was because of the funding from the state compensation board. In my opinion, it was money over safety. The gentleman at the forum explaining the plan would not guarantee there would be no job loss in law enforcement after a period of time, only a reduction of officers through retirement and leaving for other reasons. He stated that this would reflect the savings. There goes the public safety protection.
Again, these are my thoughts. In closing, whichever way you cast your vote, I ask for only two things from you good folks. Number one, take time to read and educate yourself on the proposed plan, and number two, go to the polls on November 8th and exercise your right and vote.
Thank you,
Roy Markham Jr.
York Avenue
Covington
