Overdue

The Osceola News-Gazette published and editorial titled "Reviewing job titles overdue" this past weekend, which basically states that an independent audit of county positions, job titles, and salaries is overdue. While we are glad that government, as well as the Osceola News-Gazette, is finally leaning towards a fiscally responsible sized government, we think the slowness of government action in the face of this economic crisis demands a much harsher criticism than 'overdue'. It is not like government has neglected to return the book 'Romeo and Juliet' to its local overstaffed library which has lead to an overdue notice being generated. Government has delayed its reaction to this crisis by almost a full year which has cost the taxpayers of our community millions of dollars. The title by the shadow editor should have been 'Delay in reviewing job titles act of nonfeasance' because there was a failure to act even when a clear and ethical duty to act existed.

While we do applaud the Osceola News-Gazette for taking a brave and unpopular stance of pointing out the clear and inappropriate delay in action of our local county government, we would have hoped for a little bit more fervor in their writing that expressed the feelings of their local readership. We would have also hoped that they would have outlined more items of government that are 'overdue' for a discussion. Growth and zoning policies, excessive taxes and user fees, and governments' continued reach into the private sector markets. Drastic cuts to the sacred entitlement programs like the CVB or the Economic Development squad are also long overdue and should be on the table. We have yet to see an accurate report card of the failures or successes of these organizations to date and the taxpayers would like some answers. We have been forced, during these rough economic times, to stand on the sidelines and watch them throw money into the wind, so why not set up a little real Q&A in a real town hall style meeting. Again the WayneWho staff has to say that we think 'Overdue' is an overdue understatement.