EDITORIAL: The Nicholson travel machine
This is why many small towns aren’t needed. During last week’s Nicholson City Council meeting, member Chuck Wheeler made a mockery of why local governments exist.
After hearing Mayor Ronnie Maxwell’s 2010 budget proposal, Wheeler said the city should add $10,000 for travel because “we are going places.”
But Wheeler also suggested cutting the town’s library budget proposal to spend $26,000 for new books because he thought that was “a little high.”
Somehow, Mr. Wheeler has gotten his priorities all screwed up. The City of Nicholson does not exist as a private money tree for Mr. Wheeler to travel on the taxpayers’ dime. If he wants to travel, then he should pay for it himself.
As for the library, what evidence does Mr. Wheeler have that the proposed expenditure for books is “a little high?”
Library book purchases are not cheap. They should be based on the usage level of the library, not some artificial gut instinct of a councilmember who’d rather use the money for himself.
This kind of thing goes on all the time in small towns where egocentric council members come to think of the town’s budget as their own piggy bank. In fact, it would be interesting to see just how much of Nicholson’s $405,000 budget actually goes to help the citizens of the town and how much is just internal fluff and payroll for administrators.
At least the $26,000 is designed to do something for taxpayers to benefit; Mr. Wheeler’s idea of spending another $10,000 for travel doesn’t do anything to help anyone but himself.
But Wheeler also suggested cutting the town’s library budget proposal to spend $26,000 for new books because he thought that was “a little high.”
Somehow, Mr. Wheeler has gotten his priorities all screwed up. The City of Nicholson does not exist as a private money tree for Mr. Wheeler to travel on the taxpayers’ dime. If he wants to travel, then he should pay for it himself.
As for the library, what evidence does Mr. Wheeler have that the proposed expenditure for books is “a little high?”
Library book purchases are not cheap. They should be based on the usage level of the library, not some artificial gut instinct of a councilmember who’d rather use the money for himself.
This kind of thing goes on all the time in small towns where egocentric council members come to think of the town’s budget as their own piggy bank. In fact, it would be interesting to see just how much of Nicholson’s $405,000 budget actually goes to help the citizens of the town and how much is just internal fluff and payroll for administrators.
At least the $26,000 is designed to do something for taxpayers to benefit; Mr. Wheeler’s idea of spending another $10,000 for travel doesn’t do anything to help anyone but himself.
It must cost a lot to get from Nicholson to Atlanta...
This is way beyond stupid! And to say the Libary Does'nt need the extra books, I think Mr. Wheeler needs to check again. I want to know where is the town of Nicholson is planning on going.
It is easy to see through Chuck Wheeler and his "cronies". The sad part is they could care less what the citizens of Nicholson want, their agenda is to vote against anything that Mayor Maxwell proposes. Obviously they have not read the comments to the news articles or have read them and just don't care. Out with Chuck Wheeler and any other counsel member who votes with him.
He stays in trouble financially. How can he figure to safe guard Nicholson when he can't look after his own finances???
Maybe this is why he lied so much to get elected, only way he could figure to take a vacation. Go places Chuck how about off the city council!!!!!!!