Editor,

I recently attended a public hearing held in conjunction with the Springtown City Council meeting. The hearing focused on a bridge currently being constructed in Springtown and was held to fulfill the requirements imposed by the agency that funded the project. During the meeting, the grant administrator mentioned that “complaints” had been made to several agencies about the bridge. In response to this statement, Alderman Lisa Lawrence stated that “thesepeople need to get a life” and “if they don’t like it, they can move!”

Perhaps Alderman Lawrence should review her oath of office and the associated duties of a councilman. “These people” are citizens exercising their rights, citizens she is supposed to be representing and the people who pay her salary.

Earlier this year, Alderman Lawrence stated her goal was to increase citizen involvement in council activities, but the attitude she expressed at a public hearing is contrary tothat goal and does not foster a spirit of community. As a property owner, town resident, tax-paying, vote-casting citizen, I have (and will continue) to scrutinize the actions of my town council.

Perhaps the council members should focus less on bake sales and more on how they are spending federal disaster monies. I would also suggest that if the council members plan on seeking re-election, they should find a different campaign slogan.

Terri Klein-Glenn Springtown

Opinion, Pages 5 on 01/11/2012