Dear Editor,
I have a few points that I would like to bring up to all of the citizens of our city. We all need to keep in mind everything that has gone on in our little community and who is responsible for those changes. Some instances are the name changes of some of our cherished older buildings and the changes to our zoning ordinances that could be infringing on property rights.
Please keep in mind that we are going to have a runoff election to narrow the field down to four from five to run for two seats on the council. Think about all that has gone on in our community and the ones that have helped with these changes. Maybe it is time for some new faces on the council. Remember what has gone on when you go and vote. If you agree with our direction, then vote for the status quo, if not, vote for a change. I see no reason to change the names of the buildings at all nor to change the zoning ordinances. We are not Branson, or even Joplin.
Another thing that amazes me is that with the population of Neosho, that so many are overlooking our God-given right to vote. We as citizens need to step up and let our voices be heard, especially in the council meetings or when there is an open forum for citizens to voice their opinions. I also encourage the new council to open up meetings, or hold more town hall meetings, to solicit public input. Then take into consideration what the public is saying instead of listening and then forgetting what was said.
I have lived in a few different towns and this is the first one that elected the council, and then let the council vote one of themselves as mayor. I preferred the way it was in other towns, with the town broken up into precincts. Councilpersons ran by the precinct that they lived in. By doing it this way, everyone was represented by someone in their area that can see anything that needs taken care of because they live there, too. The mayor was not appointed by the council, but rather ran for the office and was elected by the citizens. This may be a change that would be beneficial to our community, as opposed to those that were mentioned above.
The main point I want to make is GET OUT AND VOTE. Use the powers that you have, speak up, and don’t let others control our destiny without hearing our opinion.
Sincerely,
James D. Smallwood,
Neosho
