Spending your money
By Mike Stegall

We all pay taxes, a lot of taxes. Nobody enjoys it, and everybody knows that government blows a lot on unnecessary things. Governments do that, that point is not arguable, especially, the higher up in Government you go. Spending the people’s money is what government does. The questions that need asked and answered though is this: Is this how you run your own house? Would you do that if this was your own money? If not, what makes you think you can spend other people’s money this way? For years, government spending has gotten out of control, at the Federal level and the State level. I am not here to defend the local governments totally, there are some counties and townships that are very inefficient. However, I will state the case for what we do in Darke County.

Ever since I was elected, I promised to be fiscally responsible. I know that Mike and Diane feel the same way. I stated from the beginning that fiscal responsibility consisted of not spending any money at all, but spending it wisely. That is the key! When you elect people to positions, you should make sure that whatever they do, especially with your money, they do for the right reasons, and do it with a lot of thought. Whenever we spend money on anything, we should be able to defend that expenditure to you, the public. We owe that to you. What most people forget is that we pay taxes too, and I don’t want to pay anymore than I have too. I do realize however that money needs to be spent on essential things, so as a taxpayer I too watch what we do.

This year is a different one for us in the County. We have arrived at the crossroad where we have to fix things. Things have been let go for too long. When I was elected, I said that from my first day, Jan. 1st, 2011, all the counties former problems became my problem. No excuses, you elected me and the others to fix problems. This year, we are spending a lot of your money. In my opinion, and what I will tell you if you ask, is that these are necessary expenditures. This year, money is to be spent on buildings, computers, parking lots, and other maintenance. They are necessary because all of us who pay taxes have paid for these. They are granted to us by you, the public, to use to run the County. It is not being responsible to let them deteriorate. By maintaining what you give us, we can make them last for the next group that comes in here. Some of you will agree with this assessment, some of you will see this as unnecessary. That is ok. We cannot please everyone, nor will all of the 3 Commissioners always agree on what to do. That is the way it works. All I ask is that you hear why I am doing what I am doing, and then decide. Give me a chance to explain my position. You don’t have to agree, but at least you will know why I do what I do. That is what you are supposed to do. You are supposed to keep an eye on what we are doing, making sure we are doing what you want. I have tried to be as open as possible with what we do here. I write columns in the papers, I make appearances every month with my “Coffee with the Commissioner” outings at different places so more of you can meet me personally and ask questions. Myself and the other Commissioners are on the radio once a month answering questions you have about what we are doing. I am not ashamed of what we are doing. I am proud of it. I am proud of the way we have spent your money the last 4 years. Since this is a re-election year for some of us, this is the time when most politicians promise to do a lot of things to get your vote. Not me, I am sticking to the promises I made 4 years ago; to be fiscally responsible, work on economic development, and if it’s broke, fix it. I see no need to make any more than that. Being Commissioner has been a joy for me. I enjoy it, and the responsibility of making important decisions, and spending your money. I take it seriously, and I will do so in the future. Spending your money is easy. Spending it wisely, that’s just smart for all of us.

Mike Stegall- Darke County Commissioner