I am proud of all the Star Herald readers who were brave enough to put their opinions in ink this week. The letters came just as I was starting to fear that no one was following local politics and all the city and county stories we’ve run.I say I’m proud of the letter writers because it’s difficult to print an opinion when most people either don’t care enough to form one, or share their views only within their own safe circle of friends. As difficult as it is to put opinions in writing, it’s even more difficult to be an elected person and have those opinions form policies that are so open to criticism. It’s not easy to go head-to-head with neighbors, friends, co-workers, or church members, but the elected people and administrators of Rock County and Luverne do it all the time. Even though I acknowledge their difficult roles and have respect for their positions, in the words of one of our wise letter writers this week, "Contract disputes have developed into personality conflicts that do not seem manageable at this point and it is reflecting poorly on our community. Their disputes are not serving the citizens of this community who have elected these people to act responsibly and in our best interest."I cover both the Luverne City Council and Rock County Board of Commissioners, so I have watched first-hand their relationship disintegrate over the past year.Just like in many aspects of life, the local political disagreements started with money. When the state budget shortfall trickled down to local governments, people’s jobs and city and county programs were on the line. Ever since I’ve worked here, city leaders always said they thought the county was getting a good deal on their shared ventures, and the county thought the city was getting a lot for its money. To the Luverne leaders, it looks like city residents are getting charged more for services, which they are because they pay both city and county taxes. But the county points out that all city residents of all cities in the nation pay county and city taxes.The county doesn’t appreciate its budgets being looked over by people who don’t operate the programs within those budgets. And the city says it has a right to look out for its residents’ tax dollars, no matter who’s collecting them. Defensiveness has overridden productivity even though both opinions probably have merit.As for my opinion, which I formed after attending numerous meetings and talking personally with leaders whom I respect, is this: In a county with a population of 10,000 there’s no reason that a handful of elected and appointed people can’t come to terms on joint ventures.In the words of another letter to the editor, "Fix it."
