Making an informed decision

Chuck Kajer, Managing Editor

When the public gets involved, chances are, good decisions are going to be made.

It was encouraging to see the turnout at last week's Elko New Market City Council meeting. The city is looking into the possibility of eliminating its police department as a cost-saving measure, and instead contracting with Scott County for police services.

Without getting into the merits for or against the proposal, there is no doubt that the proposal has hit a nerve in some residents. In the two meetings since the matter was first mentioned, residents have come out in force, some speaking in favor of the proposal, some against.

The city council last week went over a list of questions that it would like to have answered before they make a decision on the police department's future. The council is being deliberate in this proposal, in part because so many people are watching them, wanting them to get this decision right.

Best of all, the discussion is taking place out in the open, with plenty of chances for the public to see what's going on. It's refreshing, and unfortunately, increasingly rare for such transparency in city governments. Regardless how the council decides this issue, you can be sure that the council members have had plenty of information on which to make their decision.