LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Aaron Gerber, Seward County

Did you ever have a job where you promised to do something, didn’t do it for a year or more, then found out you were going to be let go and suddenly start promising to do the job you were supposed to be doing all along? That’s the majority of your current County Commission.

You have heard the comments regarding the Thresher wind project where it is claimed that they are working on “The best deal” to promote economic development. Who told them that the people want a “best deal?”

Have you been listened to? Have they ever asked if you want a “best deal” or have they already made their decision and you will be saddled with it?

Actions speak louder than words. The silence, regarding the Thresher wind project, in your commission meetings is deafening. It is impossible to “hear” anything with discussion only occurring in over 70 executive sessions.

When residents come to the microphone, during public comment, bringing real data, lived experiences, and concrete proposals for those exact protections, they are met with silence (and disdain). They are met with blank stares and a five-minute timer.

Yes, it is a public “comment” forum not a “discussion” forum, but to lean on this is disingenuous. However, doesn’t the amount and type of public comments show your commission that the public desires to be involved in discussion with the Commission and not just be passive observers? Why has your commission stopped offering Town Halls for open discussion on this issue and any issue? Why not? Again, have they already made their decision and you will be saddled with it?

Isn’t ignoring residents who do the heavy lifting of researching solutions, only to refuse to even vote on listening to the people on subjects that will affect them for generations, a betrayal of public trust? Do you trust the individuals on your commission anymore?

Isn’t it deeply dishonest to act and campaign on getting the “best deal” only to fail to ask if the people even want a deal at all?

Why has it taken more than a year to make a decision? The issue is simply always buried in executive sessions. Inaction seems to be the only action taken.

You cannot claim to be working for the people of your county when you refuse to even pick up the tools the people are literally handing to you.

If you are going to make promises, you must have the courage to allow public discussion and advisory votes?

Your commission should really stop ignoring the very people who elected them because it just shows us not to ever vote for them again.

And attempting to “explain away” and “justify” their unilateral decisions and actions is not what they were elected to do.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Aaron Gerber is a pen name the L&T allows because of a legitimate concern of retaliation.