Making it Worse

The WayneWho staff must admit that the coverage by the Osceola News-Gazette over the past couple of weeks has shown definite improvement. Instead of the usual 'go-along' press release reproduction journalism we have seen in the past, the Gazette has been pushing their envelope on covering governmental issues that affect us all. While we have heard some complaining that the Gazette has not pushed hard enough on issues such as the proposal review committee fiasco, we think they have. The job of the media is to dig and ask the hard questions in order to bring the facts on an issue to light. It is the job of the public to demand accountability of their government when the facts presented show a pattern of problems. While the media should be following the facts on issues that may show a history of abuse and corruption with the procurement process, it is not their job to suggest changes. This is the job of the public.

As so often happens in Osceola County politics, this procurement fiasco issue is over. People have screamed about it, the media has covered it, and the politicians who put the processes in place act as if their are disgusted about what has happened. Except for some chirping from the sidelines, there will be no more coverage on this issue because in the minds of the public, the issue is being dealt with. Some policies will change in a manner that will give better political cover the next time a small group decides to hijack the process of dividing up the tax money plunder amongst their friends, but no more. Those in the bubble will be protected.

At least, as members of the public, we can hope that if true justice will not prevail, that this usual 'cover-up and continue' pattern is the worst case scenario. The problem that we see is that the situation could be made much worse. County Commissioner Fred 'Trigger' Hawkins Jr. has recklessly brought forward an idea to strip transparency from the procurement process. His idea that the procurement review committees "should not meet as a group to discuss proposals but rather rate firms individually," opens the door even more to the influences of special interests. Individual lobbying will further corrupt a process that even the the usually government friendly News Gazette suggests is tainted. The WayneWho staff suggests that the letter of the procurement code should be followed, much more strict guidelines be put in place, and the review committee meetings should be broadcast over the Internet. Instead of hiding the process in the darkest corners where corruption waits, let the sun shine in on it.

As a final note we hope that there is a 'next' article on this issue in the Osceola New-Gazette. The 'Ahh-Shucks' routine from the County Manager and a sitting State Representative, Mike Horner, does not fly and should be questioned. While it is not hard to believe the claims of ignorance from them, it should not be an acceptable argument from those who are in the positions they are because of their claims of 'experience.' For those on the staff level who could not handle the basic processes of government procurement, replacements should be found. This includes the county manager. For those who were elected, who have been caught in this web, investigations should be launched. If the questions are not answered and the truth is not know, the situation will be made worse. It is time for the public to act on the facts that have been presented.