HOW WE SEE IT: West Fork Should Act On Election

When is the public’s clear direction to city officials something to be ignored?

Apparently, when it’s given in West Fork. Back in November, a pretty simple measure was on West Fork’s ballot. Voters were asked to abolish the West Fork Water and Sewer Commission, handing authority for its work over to a committee of the City Council.

Voters liked the idea.

More than 63 percent said yes. Then, in December, the City Council did an odd thing. Aldermen voted 2-6 on the abolition, leaving the commission in place.

The city’s attorney, Tom Kieklak, said a technical error on the method that put the measure on the ballot rendered the vote more of a poll than a mandate. Technical errors should be taken seriously, so Kieklak is only right to evaluate the election’s results in that light.

But the City Council nevertheless has clear direction from the public about its desires. It is advisable public officials should not ignore the voice of the people rarely heard so directly as in an election.

Now there’s talk from the water and sewer superintendent, who seems to prefer the commission’s existence, warning critical water and sewer projects could be delayed if the commission is dissolved.

The vote may not be legally binding, but it still has meaning. Regardless of a potential, and questionable, delay in projects, aldermen should move ahead with the public’s desire and work to mitigate any problems that creates.

The people wanted to hold the City Council more accountable for the actions involving water and sewer issues. It’s time for the City Council to accept the responsibility its citizens has asked it to take up.

LATER TIME GOOD THING FOR MEETINGS

When Bentonville School Board President Travis Riggs announced his resignation, he gave what we view as the most legitimate of reasons: the unwillingness to spend too much time away from his family.

“That is not a sacrifice that I am willing to make,” Riggs said. “I am already away with a lot of night activities.”

The events that led to Riggs’ resignation were not of his own making. His fellow board members voted to move all committee meetings from 11:30 a.m. on weekdays to 5:30 p.m.

Little did anyone know, but Bentonville’s school board has apparently been breaking the law for years. They discovered that after board discussion about which times were most convenient for its members. The board’s attorney says state law requires all meetings to happen after 5 p.m.

That’s a good thing. It’s virtually impossible for many members of the public to attend meetings held in the midst of the work day. That’s why most public meetings - city councils, quorum courts and the like - happen in the evenings.

That said, Riggs’ departure is disappointing. He’s been a positive force on the school board for a dozen years. He’s taken the lead on successful public votes and on measures that proved much less popular. He wasn’t afraid of work when it came to giving Bentonville’s students a quality educational experience.

He’s been a good public servant, and the public owes him a debt of gratitude. We respect his decision - public service should not come at the expense of one’s family - and wish him well.

Opinion, Pages 5 on 02/02/2013

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