Be an informed citizen

     Do you feel you’re well in tuned with what’s going on in this city? Do you think you have a handle on the county business? Are you aware of the bills passing out of the Statehouse?

     The only way to be an informed citizen is really know what is going on.

     When you cover as many city, school, and county meetings as the Express does, you quickly wonder whether perhaps the average citizen truly knows what is going on in their backyard.

     It’s only during contentious moments when people show up at these meetings at all. And, sadly, by that time, the decision to be made at that moment is pretty clear. So what good did it do to show up and voice your concerns?

     All city, school and county meeting agendas are posted, by state code, 24 hour prior to their scheduled meeting. All Monticello City Council meetings are posted live on the city’s website and Public Access (for Mediacom customers). All weekly County Supervisor meetings can also be viewed on Public Access in the days following their meeting.

     Yes, the Express covers these meetings regularly, but our space is limited and we cannot always mention every details of these governmental meetings.

     Don’t wait until a decision was made by your elected officials that you disagree with before attending one of these meetings to voice your concern or speak your mind. By then, it’s likely too late.

     And don’t wait until you read about a decision in your local paper. By then, it’s also too late.

     Attend these meetings to show support for someone on the agenda or something you do or do not want to see done in your community. These government officials were elected by you to hopefully represent you.

     During the legislative season, several organizations in Jones County host public forums, giving citizens a chance to visit with their senators and representatives serving in Des Moines. Check the dates, times, and locations of these forums in the Express and make sure your legislators know your thoughts about what is going on in Des Moines.

     The best kind of government is one in which the citizens are represented, make their voices heard, and participate in the decisions that are being made. (K.N.B.)