Telegram - Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944

I sometimes ponder on the question, what is the responsibility of elected officials? I believe that their main responsibility is to represent the people in the area where they were elected. Whether it is a city council, state representative, governor, etc., they are to represent the people.

However, there are times when elected officials seem to vote their own agenda. They may vote to pass legislation that will benefit their friend's company and sometimes they may vote not to support the best qualified contract. Instead, they vote and lobby for a company because of personal gain, friendships or kickbacks. That shouldn't happen. If you remember, there have been a number of elected officials that had been making decisions for their own personal gain.

Former Attorney General Bill Schuette created a new Public Integrity Unit in the Attorney General's office to ratchet up the fight against corruption in state and local government, protect tax dollars and restore the public's trust in government. The Public Integrity Unit allows the office to put an increased focus on public corruption cases, This is one way to address the issue, but this is after the fact. There has to be checks and balances to prevent these types of things from happening.

The checks and balances must come from the people. So many times, residents are not paying attention to what is going on in their city government and the legislature. They listen to the candidates when they are running for election, and then they vote like it is a popularity contest instead of an employment opportunity. The elected officials work for us. Their salaries come from tax payers' money. They are not to make frivolous decisions that will cost the taxpayers more money just to make sure their personal interest are attained.

I challenge the readers of the Telegram to get more involved this year. As you decide who to vote for in the Nov. 8th election, make sure you listen to the candidates and vote for people who have a vision that is in line with what you want to see. I believe, No Vision – No Vote. Remember, the elected officials work for us. If they haven't done anything productive in their current term, then No Action – No Vote.

You have the Power, use it.

Gina Wilson Steward

CEO/Publisher