Mr. Mayor, Winder City Councilmen - your silence is deafening...

There is much being written about the scandal involving the Winder Police Department. Yet, those who (we hope) know the most about it are eerily quiet.

It seems clear that an external investigation needs to be requested. Usually the GBI investigates problems and allegations in other law enforcement agencies. Why has this not been requested? And, why is the Mayor so close-mouthed about his action plans on this and other scandal-creating matters?

It took an open records request to find out that the City Administrator had been suspended by the Mayor for 3 days as a result of his decision to have a councilman's private property cleaned up by city crews. Why the secrecy about simply holding the City Administrator to basic ethical standards?

There is an obvious lack of checks and balances when the City Administrator is also the City Human Resource Director, as is the case in Winder now. Until this can be corrected, the Mayor and the City Council owe the citizens the guarantee that power will not be abused. Yet, as messes occur, the Mayor and Council remain quiet, not even offering basic assurances that investigations will be done and, as needed, consequences handed down.

The need for change on the Winder City Council is obvious. I offer that change. As your councilman, I would not tolerate inaction and/or secrecy. City employees deserve better, the citizens deserve better, our city deserves better. 

The polls are open tomorrow, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Winder Community Center!