Editorial: It is dangerous to ignore the role of the people

For about two-dozen speakers who came forward, and more than a hundred inside the Alcazar Room and overflowing into the courtyard at City Hall Monday night, it would appear the public would be happy to see a full scale audit of every transaction associated with the more than five-year spending spree on the much ballyhooed 450th Commemoration activities.

The speakers minced no words. Neither did I, as I addressed the commissioners to remind them that as a nation, we place the bar pretty high to legally become a citizen of the United States.

For those who go through the naturalization process, renouncing allegiance to their country of birth, and swearing an oath of loyalty to our country, then passing a test of questions related to how our Constitution says we will govern ourselves; it must be confusing to watch how our local government has operated.

I would be willing to bet that if you asked any of those fifty newly minted American citizens Monday if our elected officials are supposed to represent the people who elected them, and not their own personal agenda, they would resoundingly respond, “Yes”.

If those same new citizens were to observe dozens of fellow citizens calling for an audit of contract awards being forestalled by St Augustine’s officials, and were then asked if this is how they were told our government responds to our citizens — my guess is that they would resoundingly respond, “No”.

Guess what? Those new citizens have the right to vote in upcoming elections. And, guess what else? They appear better qualified to govern than those of you who mistakenly got elected and then turned your back on the members of the public who put you there. We can fix that.