Opinion: People have spoken, time to cooperate

The people (at least some of them) of Donley County have spoken. Local democracy still works, and that’s a good thing, a really good thing. Now it’s time for the newly elected and reelected officials to go to work. We’ve got a lot of important challenges and opportunities to address.

However, as they get started on their respective boards, I would like to remind our local politicians that possessing a sharp tongue does not necessarily mean that they possess a keen mind. Some of the boards still have members on them who are known to possess sharp tongues, much to the detriment of the citizens of Donley County. They need to understand that identifying a good scapegoat is not nearly as effective as implementing real solutions to our challenges and issues.

Our aldermen and school board members need to find ways to work together to identify and positively address the issues facing them. Too many of these people seem to think that sabotage is much more effective than constructive dialogue. Our community can no longer tolerate either criticism or sabotage. They need to find ways to create synergy in order to more effectively serve their constituents. Hopefully they will realize that an agreeable person is not a person who agrees with them, but a person who they can work with to create positive results from differing points of view. I’ve no doubt that they can work together even if they don’t agree with each other, and learn to treat each other respectfully in the process.

Hopefully, the newly constituted boards and councils will understand that having self control is better than having control over others. There have been enough petty disagreements that resulted in divisive factions between our politicians. Some of our board members seem have the extraordinary power to channel their imaginations into ever soaring levels of suspicion and paranoia. This type of behavior must stop. If not, we the people must vote them out of office.

The candidates, who stepped up to the plate and ran for office, regardless of the outcome, deserve our respect and thanks. We the people had excellent people to select from. Let’s give them a fair chance to successfully represent our interests. Let’s support them as they work together and support each other while conducting our business.

Of all the elections held, perhaps the most vital was the election of the Clarendon board of aldermen and mayor. In the recent past very little deliberation and focused attention has been placed on Clarendon’s economic needs, particularly the development of new business. Little attention has been paid to this critical area because of gridlock on the board, primarily caused by friction between the members. If not for the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation, very little would have been accomplished.

The addition of Sandy Skelton, who has significant experience, could change the dynamics of the board and result in a new focus on improving Clarendon’s economic future. There are several gun manufacturers that have been courted by the State of Texas. Clarendon is strategically located in the gun friendly Texas Panhandle, and is in a good position to offer an attractive economic package to one or more of these manufacturers. We have a well educated workforce available to provide the needed manpower for this type of manufacturing.

Additionally, Donley County has something very valuable that very few areas of the US can offer – good, clean air. Our air may be frisky, but cleaner air cannot be found in the United States. We also have a suitable supply of clean water for long-term growth. Donley County also provides a good, safe environment in which to raise children, with good schools and a low crime rate. We can do a much better job of capitalizing on our strengths.

Donley County, Clarendon, Hedley ISD, Clarendon ISD, and Howardwick surely have challenges ahead, but these challenges can result in exciting new opportunities for growth and advancement. Clarendon College, our local banks, an excellent newspaper, and the innovative entrepreneurial spirit of the business people of Donley County provide us with a fairly strong economic base.

If the newly elected politicians fulfill their potential, then we should all benefit from this new group of community leaders. They were elected to address and implement solutions to our challenges and opportunities. We should expect that they will do this; and, we should do all we can to support their efforts.