Not listening to the town’s citizens

Over the last month I have attended the budget hearing and the following city council meeting for the city of Gold Bar. I was very unhappy with the disorganization and lack of information that was given. The mayor did not even attend the budget hearing. When asked specific questions on the budget, the citizens were told that the officials did not have some of the totals available and would not know what they were until sometime in January. How can a budget be prepared and passed by a governing body without this information?

The council member who was acting for the mayor at the budget hearing even went as far as to tell one of the citizens that she did not want to hear anymore from her and that she could sit down and be quiet. I witnessed similar behavior by the mayor at another meeting when a citizen wanted the council to help represent his wishes with the Sultan school system. The council members need to keep in mind that these are public meetings and the citizens who attend do have the right to speak. Even if the council doesn’t agree with them, they should treat them with respect.

Numerous other citizens spoke and let the city council know they were not in agreement with the budget and that they did not want it to pass as it was written. The city council disregarded everyone who spoke and passed the budget. This budget will raise the taxes of the citizens of Gold Bar much more than the 1 percent authorized by the voters in this state. There is a belief among some of the citizens that it will be around 17 percent. When asked, the council members could not even tell the citizens what the percentage of tax increase would actually be. This is irresponsible behavior for elected officials who are supposed to be representing the people that voted them into office. There are 985 registered voters in Gold Bar. Only 485 voted in the last election. After attending the council meetings it is easy to see why voters in Gold Bar would get complacent. I encourage all of you to get involved and attend the city council meetings and make your city officials listen to the opinions of the people they are supposed to serve and be responsible for their actions while performing their duties.

Gold Bar

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, Feb. 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Curtains act as doors for a handful of classrooms at Glenwood Elementary on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Schools’ building needs point to election reform

Construction funding requests in Arlington and Lake Stevens show need for a change to bond elections.

Lake Stevens school bond funds needed safety work at all schools

A parent’s greatest fear is for something bad to happen to their… Continue reading

Arlington schools capital levy: Say yes to new Post Middle School

Schools are the backbone of the Arlington community. Families want to move… Continue reading

Long sentences not much of a deterrent but serve justice

A recent column by Todd Welch mentions a trope that ignores one… Continue reading

Comment: Trump’s stress-test of Constitution shows it’s up to job

Keep filing lawsuits and the courts will bat down his unconstitutional orders; as long as he follows the rulings.

Stephens: Trump endangers stability of Pax Americana

Discarding the values of a ‘Great Power’ for a ‘Big Power’ will cost the U.S. its standing in the world.

FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2017, file photo Jaìme Ceja operates a forklift while loading boxes of Red Delicious apples on to a trailer during his shift in an orchard in Tieton, Wash. Cherry and apple growers in Washington state are worried their exports to China will be hurt by a trade war that escalated on Monday when that country raised import duties on a $3 billion list of products. (Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic via AP, File)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Trump’s threat of tariffs to win non-trade concessions complicates talks, says a state trade advocate.

A press operator grabs a Herald newspaper to check over as the papers roll off the press in March 2022 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald file photo)
Editorial: Push back news desert with journalism support

A bill in the state Senate would tax big tech to support a hiring fund for local news outlets.

Jayden Hill, 15, an incoming sophomore at Monroe High School is reflected in the screen of a cellphone on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Students need limits on cellphones in school

School districts needn’t wait for legislation to start work on policies to limit phones in class.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, Feb. 5

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Costco’s work to defend its DEI values isn’t over

Costco successfully argued its values to shareholders, but a bigger fight looms with ‘anti-woke’ forces.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.