When they say a picture captures a thousand words, then the video produced by Iolans for Good Government leaves us speechless.
The 20-minute clip is posted on the Register’s website, iola-register.com, and is traveling the Facebook circuit.
It sums up the last six months of council actions with film clips of city council meetings.
The strongest testaments come from longtime Iolans Ray and Donna Houser, John McRae and Bob Chase, who plead with council members to reconsider their actions, among which are the firing of former City Administrator Judy Brigham, the decision to conduct an additional audit, and the necessity of requesting an inordinate number of executive sessions, among other things.
The video also depicts the rude behavior of certain councilmen and how their personal interests trump that of the city’s. Councilman Ken Rowe, for example, argues for lower rates for copies of accident reports — requests made primarily by insurance companies. Rowe, conveniently, is an insurance agent.
THE WORD is getting out about the firings of City Administrator Judy Brigham and Ken Hunt, human resources manager, and it’s not kind. Brigham, it should be remembered, has been honored numerous times by her peers from around the state for her roles as city clerk and later as city administrator.
The video should serve as a call to arms for citizens to become more active in city government and to demand more transparency, more civility, and more determination to right this sinking ship.
We all know Iola is a wonderful town because of its people.
We pick up trash along the curbside. We wave to strangers. We support our local merchants. We are honest in our dealings. We take care of those in need. We make sacrifices for the public good.
These are the characteristics of people who care about their community. These are the traits that make outsiders feel welcome.
As a community, those good vibes are at risk.
LEADERSHIP is a top-down action.
A community takes its cues from those in power.
So far, the message has been to oust those not willing to feign loyalty when it goes against their better judgment.
Thursday, Mayor Bill Shirley is asking for input about the potential changes in how the city council operates. It’s from 4 to 7 p.m. at City Hall.
Sounds like an ideal time to start the conversation.
