Faust: In Dover, it’s time to speak out

The time to act is now! If you are not happy with how our city looks and is currently being run, you need to speak up now!”

William G. Faust Jr. is a resident of Dover.

Over the past two years, I have spoken out about what I perceive are the shortcomings of Dover’s mayor and City Council. I have spoken out not for personal glory or attention but because I am truly concerned about our most vulnerable citizens, who struggle daily to keep roofs over their families’ heads and food on their tables.

Some other concerned citizens have started speaking out and voicing their individual concerns and perceptions on the deterioration of our great city. However, we cannot do it alone. We need more civic-minded citizens to start submitting letters of concern to the newspapers, to call City Hall to voice their concerns/fears and to call and email all our elected officials to voice their issues, concerns and fears professionally. Better yet, start attending the council meetings on a routine basis. Remember: Actions speak louder than words.

These are the questions to ask yourself when deciding whether to speak out:

1. Do you feel that the city is an affordable place to live?
2. Do you feel safe walking the streets of Dover, especially at night?
3. Can your family afford another increase in fees, taxes or utilities when the mayor and council start hammering out the next city budget?
4. Do you feel that the mayor and council are using your hard-earned tax dollars wisely?
5. Do you feel that you are getting the city services you and your family deserve?
6. Do you feel that you are paying more in fees and utilities but getting little to nothing in return?
7. Do you feel that our city officials are truly working for the betterment of our fair city?

The time to act is now! If you are not happy with how our city looks and is currently being run, you need to speak up now! I am encouraging our citizens to do their homework. Look at your utility bills over the past several months to a year. Evaluate your monthly budget and compare it to last year. Ask yourself: Are you doing without because it is more costly to live in Dover? Also, I strongly encourage you to review monthly council meetings, which are on the city’s website.

I am not telling citizens how they should think or act. Some may disagree with what I have written in the past, and that’s OK. They have the right to disagree with any point of view I have stated. They also have the right to submit letters to the editor to express their individual points of view. Remember, it’s too late to complain about something after it has been approved and passed by the mayor and City Council.

Lastly, I encourage all citizens of legal age and who are eligible to vote to register to do so and come out when the next election comes around. If you do not vote, you have no reason to complain when somebody gets into office who you do not like. It’s something to think about.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.