To the editor:
Everyone has heard the phrase "elections have consequences." This could not be overstated about this upcoming election, especially the local issues for Mingo Junction. One thing that I'm very concerned about is the passage of the renewals, especially the 1 percent income tax.
I worked for Mingo Junction for more than three decades and have been through multiple economic downturns. I've lived through raises and concessions, depending on how well the mill was running. We know how that ended, especially for our Steelworkers. JSW helps, but not as much as Wheeling-Pitt did back in the glory days.
Now, we find out that the renewal of Mingo's 1 percent income tax was omitted from the ballot on the last renewal. If that isn't bad enough, we recently learned that Mingo owes Jefferson County more than $350,000 in back taxes. This all rates "WTH" -- not a "LOL." These weren't inconsequential blunders -- it's egregious misfeasance. Blaming those responsible doesn't accomplish anything at this point. I pray it wasn't intentional. We certainly can't blame those who were sworn in this past January. How I wish we cold go back and change the past.
This election gives voters an opportunity to dramatically influence the future of our town. Residents are the heart and soul of Mingo. It's what we are made of. Most of our money and our leaders come from and are a part of us. The Constitution prescribes self-determination, which makes this a local issue. So, we are the solution, if we choose to be. Keep in mind that we aren't the federal government -- we can't spend money we don't have. By design, a great portion of the village's operating funds come out of the pockets of citizens.
Don't vote against the renewals because you want to punish those responsible. Who would you really punish? Don't vote no to make someone look bad or to make some kind of point. The point is we need to bite the bullet and pony up, remembering that it's no more than we've gotten used to.
Wait and see what it will be like in Mingo if we don't approve this renewal. The same goes for the garbage levy renewal. Imagine not having your garbage picked up. I benefit a good bit from village services, and in a perfect world there would be more services, not less. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the very existence of Mingo is on the ballot. The choices we make this time will decisively determine our future quality of life. Elections have consequences -- we need to vote yes on the renewals and we need to elect or re-elect our fellow citizens who we think won't make these types of potentially cataclysmic mistakes and create this kind of situation again.
This all makes me angry, but it is what it is. I believe that people forfeit their right to complain if they haven't exercised their civic duty to vote.
Jack McGuire
Mingo Junction