Letter to the Editor

Letter to the editor

Tuesday, August 3, 2004

Hubler a true public

servant

Dear editor,

There seems to be a serious lack of understanding within our fine city and I believe it is time to clarify a few things about public service.

What exactly does public service mean? What is the purpose of public service? Who is this public? Does the public consist only of special interest groups? Does the public consist only of those who earn more than $50,000 a year? Does the public consist only of senior citizens? Perhaps the public consists only of adolescents or single parents, or low income families or persons with special needs. It should go without saying that serving the public means serving of all of these groups. Persons who take on this task have a daunting responsibility.

There are some people in this community who would ask, "Why care about public service? What is the use?"

There are some people in this community who are blind to the ways public service impacts their lives and blind to the efforts of those trying to make this community a better place to live. There are some people who are blind to public service unless they have a need or issue. And then there are others who count on this blindness, who exploit and pervert the true definition of public service in order to gain personal profit when no one is looking.

Public service is about making life better for all. It is about listening to the needs of the public and addressing those needs to the best of your ability by carefully utilizing every resource in the most efficient way possible. It is about building the future for our youth while honoring those who built it for us. Being a good public servant means being cognizant of those you serve and having the courage and strength to determine when to meet the needs of the majority and when to stand up for the weak. A good public servant has the foresight to look down the road into the future and make plans and decisions that benefit all aspects of the community, such as economic growth, neighborhoods and business districts that are crime free and clean, improvements to utilities and streets, buildings that are built or remodeled according to code, safe and enjoyable recreations, equal and fair treatment of individuals, solid crime prevention and reaction and dependable emergency management and response. A good public servant has the ability to envision the big picture. A good public servant knows that it's not about us, it's about them.

There is a true public servant in our midst. A public servant who willingly sits on the sidelines, asking for no glory or praise, while others reap the rewards of his hard work and efforts.

He is a public servant who never hesitates to shield and protect those who have chosen to step forward and make a difference.

Is a public servant who gives recognition to others for their efforts with sincerity and respect. He is a public servant who perseveres and continues to move this community forward with dignity and dedication, while his name and efforts are chastised and harassed.

This public servant is a leader for the city of Nevada who through his empowerment, support and selfless efforts is making leaders of us all.

Still, I have yet to attend any award ceremony or hear great thanks from the public for his efforts. So, I'll take it upon myself to publicly offer the praise and recognition he so greatly deserves. I'd like to thank Craig Hubler, city manager for the city of Nevada for his contributions to the betterment of our community. Craig Hubler is synonymous with true public servant.

I think it's time that we all, as a community, rally around this man who has been instrumental in so many areas of leadership and growth in the city of Nevada. I also believe that if Hubler knew that people would rally around him in support of the great things he has accomplished within the short time that he has been here, he would have no desire to leave Nevada.

There is a small group of voting taxpayers who don't believe in what the city council or city manager is working hard to accomplish.

It is sad that the remaining voting tax payers in the city will not step up and express their approval and stand behind the city council and city manager in support of the growth that is right in the brink of making Nevada bigger and better than it has ever been.

I know most people don't want to get involved, but its time that the citizens of Nevada become vocal and accept some accountability and pride in what we are achieving. Please get involved.

We recently lost a great and dedicated city clerk as a result of the intimidating harassment she felt she was subjected to from a certain group of individuals.

These people are organized and appear to have a mission to disrupt the progress of our community and interfere in the dedicated work of our city government in an attempt to use our taxpayers' dollars for projects that promote their own gain.

Unless we rally around our city manager and let him know he is an asset to Nevada, I have a strong feeling that we may lose him to another community.

"When you have something that works and works well, don't try to fix it."

We have something that works and works well. I once mentioned to the council that I'd like to see some funds provided to the airport board to make minor repairs and upgrades to the appearance of the airport because Precision Aero and Boeing were coming to our town and we want to make a good impression.

Hubler took that one comment and ended up obtaining $3 million dollars worth of grant money to improve the airport. It is another example of the visionary abilities he is capable of turning into reality for our community.

We must get off of our hands and get involved.

After all, this is your city and it is time for you to be heard. It is time to speak up and speak up now before it is too late.

As a member of the city council, I want this progress to continue.

Let us join together as a community in force and number.

We must have your help. We can win this battle, but not without your help.

As one of your elected officials, I plead with you to get involved and show your support for public service, progress and the man who is making it happen in Nevada.

--Mike Straight, Nevada city council member