The Tuesday election climaxed a drive to put a new majority on Medford Council and change the climate of business as usual that has prevailed for many years. It was the first time in many years that the opportunity presented itself to actually install a new majority.
Through hard work and knocking on many doors the Medford First team was able to unseat the old guard. Now a new beginning is in the offing.
But, it won’t be easy. The residents gave the new team a decisive victory. Now they have to be willing to give their support has needed changes are made.
There are many basic services that we as a community need: police surveillance, fire assistance, trash collection, snow removal and, at this time of year, leaf removal. Unfortunately past councils have been too quick to approve and spend our tax dollars on recreation and arts programs, which were a duplication of programs we were already paying for through our schools. They found it hard to turn down special interest groups that wanted artificial turf, a skate board park, a new arts building, a new ball field for first time players, and on an on. All well-meaning projects that benefit special groups but were not necessarily a wise investment for the taxpayers as a whole.
In the future the community has to put its basic services first. When it comes to these nice to have projects they can seek government backing, but when it comes to financial support they should find ways to privately fund their project; not the taxpayer. If this philosophy was applied to governments at all levels — county, state and federal, we could hold the line on taxes and avoid the threat of bankruptcy, which many are facing.
Marion A. Eggleton
Medford
