The two City Council members who took time to attended the Sept 20 citizen meeting said they were shocked at the number of people there. They apparently thought discontent was limited to a few chronic complainers. That fact alone is positive proof that the City Council is disconnected from the people of Brady.

By living in splendid isolation from the people they are supposed to serve, listening only to those who agree with them and answering to no one, the Council creates suspicion, conflict and community disunity. Complete honesty with the people would unite the community.

The City budget has ballooned by $7 million in the past 4 years.  In the fiscal year just ending, the City budgeted $20 million and spent $21.5 million. In 2005, there were no Utility Distribution charges. Today they exceed the cost of utilities themselves. These are huge sums of money for a small, poor rural community of 5500 people like Brady. People don't see any visible improvement in City services. Handing people a 125 page budget and saying, "Figure it out for yourself", shows more contempt than honest openness.

Even with all these huge spending increases, Brady still does not have a water supply that consistently meets state minimum standards. Now we find the Sewer Treatment facility is in critical condition and must be replaced. The City Council will not explain to us why this wasn't done years ago. If first spending priority isn't these vital public services, exactly what is?

When large sums of money disappear from the public treasury without tangible benefit, people begin to suspect mismanagement and/or corruption. The suspicions could be laid to rest by a simple, honest, open, common-sense explanation.

The overall message to be drawn from the Sept 20 citizens meeting is that the people want respect, honesty and competence from the City Council and City Manager. There is nothing strange or even surprising about that. Deliver it and the community will unite.