What We Have Here ... Is Failure to Communicate

Remember the 1967 movie, "Cool Hand Luke", starring Paul Newman? Luke is a prisoner who is repeatedly punished for refusing to conform to rules enforced by a no-nonsense sheriff who rules the southern-style prison farm with an iron-hand. The sheriff explains to Luke and the other inmates that the problem with Luke is a matter of poor communications. One line of the film's dialogue from Strother Martin is often quoted: "What we have here is...failure to communicate." I think of that succinct evaluation every time I get frustrated with Mayor David Felinton's failure to communicate with the citizens of Huntington. Our citizens elected him, and the citizens want to be kept abreast of these issues:

1. the court-ordered Deitz Hollow Landfill closure and his activity related to attempts to find funding for the closure and the establishment of a new landfill
2. properly caring for and/or replacing dead and dying trees - citywide
3. planning for separating the storm water/sanitary sewer system and a history of his activities to seek sources of funding
4. creating historic districts to safe-guard what is left of the architectural treasures of many of our neighborhoods
5. repairing and restoring historically significant brick-paved streets, re-paving plans and a timetable for asphalt-covered ones, repairing/replacing the numerous broken and missing curbs and fractured gutters and blocked storm-sewers
6. acquiring funding to take-down all of the fire-damaged and dilapidated structures, in a timely manner
7. acquiring funding for maintaining all traffic control nomenclature on all streets and avenues
8. litter abatement efforts and enforcement

There are other issues, but the mayor's failure to communicate what is going on with any of the city's operational responsibilities leads everyone to believe that he has no plan and is not doing anything. The 2008 election is approaching and inquiring minds want to know what is going on! The on-going downtown renaissance must be complimented by a renewal of our city-wide infrastructure and our neighborhoods. It will take a good leader to lead us during our rebirth. What we need right now is good communications from our elected executive. Mr. Mayor, would you care to enlighten us?

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Who picks our leaders? We do! Or, at least, those of us who vote do. In this city you have a voice in what happens. It's YOUR government! Use it!

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