Life Of Jason

Councilman Manley:

I know that you have been around Springfield longer than I have been alive.  I am not going to pretend for one second that I know more about the city of Springfield’s history than you.  I am not going to pretend that I would have even the life experience and wisdom that a man of your age brings to a discussion about politics, about government and about life.  When you talk about how things have been done in Springfield to make the community better I tend to give you the benefit of the doubt because of your experience.

However, I have to take issue with your statement tonight at city council regarding the tabling of approval for the Capital Improvements Program for 2008-2013.

After Councilman Burlison mentioned that he thought some of the items were luxuries for a city that is facing a financial situation like ours and the Mayor discussed tabling the measure for two weeks so he could make his concerns known you took issue with it saying among other things that the people who put this together were experts and that passing it was “what the citizens would want.”

Mr. Manley, as a citizen of Springfield, I was very happy to see this measure tabled tonight.  I was happy to see that in the case of something as major as the CIP…a program that is going to use over $575 million tax dollars over the next five years…that we can take a two week breather to work out issues raised by a member of City Council who felt he was representing citizens that he’s met and talked to about the direction of our city government.

That’s not a knock on the city staff, Mr. Manley.  I’m sure as you mentioned they are experts in their fields and that the recommendations they made were what they felt are the best options for the city.  I certainly am not going to sit here and say that I can definitively say I know more than they when it comes to what projects should be the top priorities in the CIP.   These people work hard and often take unnecessary and invalid criticism for their efforts.

It’s just in light of the recent audit…and major issues that we already know like the shortfall in the police and fire pension plan…isn’t it prudent to take a little extra time and make sure that what is the priority is something has to be done now versus a year or two down the road?  This is a plan that is going to effect us for years to come and I really believe the citizens of Springfield would rather take two weeks to really review the information and make sure this is the way to go than come back multiple times over the next few years to make adjustment after adjustment to the plan that could have been taken care of at the very beginning.

I absolutely love that you have that kind of passion for the city staff and that you have the fire in your belly to defend them the way you did in tonight’s meeting.  I had commented after the meeting to the Pythian Castle supporters that I loved that about them.  Springfield needs people with a passion to make the community better and to be involved in issues completely like they were with the Castle and you were in showing support for the city staff’s recommendations.  Your fire is necessary on the City Council because it reminds us all about the good nature of Springfield residents and how deep down the people of this community care about making the best city for everyone.

However, that fire…that passion…needs to be tempered with some caution right now.  Many people who gave the city the benefit of the doubt have turned their eyes toward the city on issues after the release of the audit.  They’re watching for the changes to be made and they’re asking if the current expenditures are really the best course of action for the city to be taking.  They might be the best course of action…many of us don’t know if that’s the case or not.  But we’re looking.  We’re asking questions.  We want to take the time to make sure it’s right for now and right for the future.

That’s why this had to be tabled for two weeks, Mr. Manley.  At the next council meeting, you can talk about the great staff and how they listened to the comments and questions of Councilman Burlison and city residents and adapted the CIP to make it better and stronger for the city of Springfield now and in the future.

And I look forward to the big smile on your face when you pass out that praise.