Mountain View Telegraph newsroom: (505) 823-7101
 E-mail Story    Print Friendly        

Opinion
Snow Days Bring Worries for Adults

What Is Real Purpose of Animal Law?

Let's Get State Police Out on the Road Again

It's Time To Fork Over All that Unspent Pork

Kudos and Thanks for Quick Response

Edgewood Parade Turned Out Nicely

AYP Status Doesn't Tell Whole Story

Letters to the Editor

Editorial: Hibbs Has Done Job of 2 Mayors

Editorial: Law Revised for Problem Animals


More
Opinion


HOME
CLASSIFIEDS

OBITUARIES

SPORTS

OPINION



Editorial: Councilor Needs To Learn Tact



      It is the responsibility of any elected official to be a guardian of the public money.
       Edgewood Councilor Glenn Felton raises important questions about how the town spends its money in relation to events held at Wildlife West Nature Park. The problem comes with how he raises those questions.
       During a recent council meeting, Felton sounded the alarm about money the town gave to the park for events, asking, “Where does the money for this go? Are we buying a bluegrass event, or are we sustaining an event that is actually … money-raising for the event?”
       Felton claimed he has been working for more than two years to have more accounting from the park on where money is spent. But city staff have said they haven’t been directed by anyone to change the standard memo of understanding, an agreement between the town and the park outlining responsibilities each has when money is provided for an event.
       Roger Alink, executive director of the park, says he has followed the agreements made between the park and the town, a point Felton concedes. Alink adds that Felton’s comments imply impropriety by the park. He says he may be looking into legal action.
       Felton’s concerns are appropriate, but his methods leave much to be desired. Wildlife West Nature Park is an asset to the community, and losing its use by the town would be a shame. Legal action usually takes a long time and increases feelings of animosity.
       Felton should step back and realize that you don’t necessarily have to like someone to do business with them and caustic comments help no one.