A Little More Talk, A Little Less Action

A Good Idea but....................................

So I'm guessing that the group that has proposed the study to examine the pros and cons of a merged government for Pulaski County didn't think to approach the Mayor prior to making headlines. Take it from someone who has a long history of faux pas that the surprise tactic is ill considered. People don't like being caught unawares especially if they are going to be dragged through the court of public opinion. Having said that, the proposition that a study be done is not a bad idea although a little altruistic. It has long made sense to me that governmental functions be combined to eliminate duplication of effort and expense but from the examples offered by the only other merged governments in the state that is easier said than done. The reason being that there are several constitutional offices that seemingly just can't be gotten rid of without a constitutional amendment and those things are a magnet for disagreement. Lexington-Fayette County merged but just can't seem to get rid of that other police force in the Sheriff’s department including the Sheriff due to certain functions being assigned to that office. Besides, that office carries a lot of political weight and the occupiers are loathe to give that up. That's just one but the pattern is that those constitutional offices are here to stay so any cost savings there is unlikely.

There are good reasons for a merged government not the least of which is being able to present a unified effort and voice when trying to effect policy for the area. The same goes for attracting industry to the area but the real question is whether or not the citizens of Somerset-Pulaski County and all the other municipalities to be absorbed actually benefit from improved government. Heck, we have a substantial number who think any kind of government is undesirable.

For any merger to make sense there has to be advantages that each side brings to the table and therein lies the rub. It is easy to see how Pulaski County could be advantaged by such a merger but not so much the city of Somerset. Just looking back over the last twenty or so years one has to search hard to find any significant improvements made for the residents of the county due to actions by the Judge-Executive and the Fiscal Court. A cursory look seems to indicate that those elected officials have been more content to fight for the status quo. There have been opportunities, the BioLab for one, that could have been a game changer for the county even though there was widespread discontent with having it located here. Nevertheless, it had potential to lift the standard of living and educational attainment in the area as well as bring attention to an area that has long been recognized as the most likely to succeed. There have been efforts to lure industry to the area, some successful to a degree, by the use of tax abatement policies. Those have been low wage jobs and not a few have come back with their hands out when the tax abatement period ended.

This is compared to the city of Somerset that has put into place actions that have been visionary and carried a substantial amount of risk when implemented but have paid dividends to the citizens over the long run and are projected to continue to do so. The purchase and construction of the natural gas system that has brought affordable energy to the city is a huge benefit and an effective lure for industry. Now the city is planning construction that will make it a hub for energy distribution. There are many who would not have been in favor of a municipality entering such an enterprise instead preferring to allow private enterprise to initiate the effort. It has been an astonishing refutation of the notion that private enterprise is always preferable to government action. Now Somerset is at the head of the class nationally in not only providing affordable energy but in being environmentally conscious with the innovation of a fueling station for Natural Gas powered vehicles. The city even proposes to transition most of its vehicle fleet to natural gas thereby ensuring the citizens of Somerset of even greater savings.

The city has moved within the past year to legalize alcohol sales within the city thereby removing one of the obstacles to growth that has long hindered businesses from locating headquarters here. While the measure passed easily in the city there is very little doubt that it would have been unsuccessful county wide. Now, this is determined by voters so there can be little argument but the mandate of leaders is to lead. Not to maintain the status quo even though there is risk in leading. On this measure the Judge-Executive and Fiscal Court are on record as being opposed to alcohol sales and that may certainly be in conformity with the wishes of the residents but is hardly emblematic of an awareness of what it takes to bring jobs and prosperity to a region. Sometimes a leader is required to try to change the awareness of of a region and show a way to the future. Yes, it is fraught with political danger but that is the nature of leadership.

In short, it is difficult to see what Pulaski County can bring to the table to induce the City of Somerset to enter into a partnership. This is not eternal. Pulaski County has a great many attributes that could be optimized to bring about a more desirable character to present to the world. It requires vision and risk.

The old saying goes, “if you ain't goin' forward, you're backin' up” and that is very true in today’s economic climate. You just can't sit still and expect people to beat a path to your door. We may long for the good old days but economies just don't work like that.

This doesn't have to be the end game. I still believe in merged governments just for the reasons I put forth at the beginning of this missive but Pulaski County needs to show what it brings to the table. Merged governments usually don't happen all at once but are put in effect in zones over a period of time. Perhaps something like this could work but the leaders and citizens of Pulaski County are going to have to want progress.

My take is that nerves are too raw. Do the study and then sit down and talk. However, it does not seem feasible for city or county governments to pay for the study. I do applaud the civic aspirations of those who want to lead Somerset-Pulaski County into a more progressive future.