No more talking: A leader has to know when it is time to act

Sheriff Carey Winders is right. The county commissioners have talked about and studied the problems at the county jail long enough.

And now, it is time to do something.

There is this funny little quirk among some lawmakers that they seem to have to come out against everything that involves spending money, even when it makes sense to do so.

It smells of electioneering, but the truth is, sometimes it is simply lack of leadership.

Bottom line: Sometimes you have to spend money, especially if the alternative is the state coming in and ordering repairs or a lawsuit filed because of inadequate conditions or, heaven forbid, because of an injury that resulted from the disrepair.

The trick is not to deny everything or to talk it to death. It is to make sure the work is done properly and to make building and repair plans with the future in mind. If you do it right the first time, and then maintain it, then you won't have to face concerns like this.

It is not about spending money. It is about wasting money.

That's a fine line some local leaders need to remember.

Published in Editorials on April 4, 2012 10:48 AM