Sometimes we are forced to us this editorial space to admonish governmental bodies for the way they do business. Not this time, and that is really encouraging.
The City of Magee is in the process of doing their budget meetings and thus far they appear to be following the guidelines for being open as required by law. They are making available all of the information that goes into the government process, in the same way that the county always does.
The City of Mendenhall is very cooperative about providing information to the newspaper in regard to the budget process.
After all, this is the basis for setting the tax levy and is it not logical that everyone be allowed to have a full picture as to why and what decisions are based on. The paper has been quick in the past to call out the city as well as other agencies for not being open. So when they do right it is only fair to acknowledge.
So to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Magee, thank you for being so transparent. We are of the opinion that this is what government should be all about anyhow.
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Our two cents worth in regards to the pandemic and the starting back of public school.
It was wise on the public schools to delay the start of school by another week. We are thinking that this will give the administration a chance to see how other school district have handled their first week and what the results of their actions are.
Simpson County has been identified as a hot spot for Covid-19 and moving with caution is probably the best action available. So our support goes to Superintendent Greg Paes. We are in a situation that none of us have ever experienced before and erring on the side of caution is not a bad course of action.
Realistically, there are going to be cases of Covid-19 and the best way to handle is to be as safe as possible however you may do so. So what if there is not a week off in the fall? We had two days at Thanksgiving, but school did not start until after Labor Day. Two weeks at Christmas was the standard. Mom could not put up with you any longer.
I think we were able to take off Good Friday, but I remember they played that movie at school where they crucified Christ so we may not have been off.
If school has to extend into summer no big deal. It certainly is a lot safer than starting classes back too early and having to pay the costs of having the additional spread of the pandemic.
We would all do good to remember that no one from our age group has experienced this type of situation before. This is all new to our local elected officials and these decisions are not taken lightly. It amazes us just how crude some people can be toward the Governor on his updates on Covid-19. It would be much easier not keeping everyone informed. I can appreciate people voicing their opinions but being disrespectful is another issue all together.
