To the editor:

There’s an important piece of paper that starts out “We the people,” and for good reason. It’s a statement of our beliefs and a commitment to the common good.

Our City Council seems to have lost the fact that they were elected by us to listen to our voices and act accordingly. Matt McKinney seems to have listened and read his emails and come to the conclusion the People of Webster City don’t want a splash pad that we can ill afford to build, run, maintain or provide the liability insurance that it would require.

I heard an interesting anecdote from my neighbor who was listening to an interview on KQWC given by one of our city council members. My neighbor was extremely upset because the council person said that people were whining about the splash pad. Whining? I thought as a member of the public we were allowed and encouraged to voice our opinions so that those who govern for US could make informed decisions according to our wishes. I always thought the word whiny went with the 6 year old who didn’t want to do as he was told.

It seems some of the people on the council have lost that concept that they were technically hired by us to understand our wishes and act accordingly. I read the retort by one of them about the mothers with children could use the pad; can’t they use the pool? The water comes from the same water plant. Trying to hide behind motherhood! Really! I was a single parent and I still bought tickets to the pool for my kids. Maybe the city needs to offer lower-priced tickets for those who can show they are low income. I would support that, but opening the tap and letting the water poor down the drain along with our tax money is a waste that with a 30% increase in water rates coming, we can ill afford.

At the bottom of the page is a listing of the council members’ emails; it’s time to write! If you don’t know who your rep is since they aren’t listed by precinct (Ed. There are no precincts in Webster City), email them all. Everyday!

It’s our money, not theirs, and it’s our money that pays them (Ed. They get a small stipend only.) If they don’t listen, then remember that and shout your disapproval at the next election. Show up at the next council meeting. I am.

Be respectful, let’s be heard!

Michael Dingman

Webster City