Letter to the editor 7/28/2010

Published: July 28, 2010

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Commissioner Doug McLinko should step down

EDITOR: Commissioner Doug McLinko's recent comments show him to be an inflexible radical conservative whose vague, unimaginative positions on important issues are harmful to the residents of Bradford County. I suggest it is time for McLinko to step down and make way for someone who will work for the residents of Bradford County.

Last month Commissioner McLinko voted against an opportunity to join neighboring counties to take advantage of a state-funded housing assistance program. McLinko called it, "a burden on taxpayers." It is one thing to work towards reducing taxes, but to pass up programs which are already funded means Bradford County taxpayers will have to help pay for the programs, while the benefits go elsewhere. Now that is a real burden. McLinko goes on to say, "I believe the free market and stuff are going to have to prevail." "We're going to have to find different ways to find affordable housing." In truth, the free market is a huge part of the problem. Gas industry competition for available housing means higher prices and fewer options for local people. How, I ask Commissioner McLinko, is that going to be a solution?! McLinko's vague references to 'stuff' and 'different ways' is just political rhetoric, a smoke screen to hide the fact that he has no better alternatives.

More recently McLinko railed against a natural gas severance tax, stating, "I've asked other commissioners what we are going to use it for, and they don't have any direct (answers). They have a bunch of 'what ifs'." Apparently McLinko wasn't referring to his fellow commissioners, as Commissioner Smith listed a host of possibilities, including housing, law enforcement, emergency services, education, and a number of county agencies who could put the money to good use. McLinko also stated, "This is free enterprise â¦ and capitalism at its very best." He sounds more like someone with a vested interest in protecting his golden goose than a commissioner representing his constituents. And then more political rhetoric, "â¦we don't need more taxes. We need less spending." We need reasonable taxes to provide needed services. What we don't need is government corruption, huge benefits for our legislators, and huge wasteful spending in the government. Politicians have been talking about smaller government forever, but it will never happen because the primary way to achieve that is to make a significant cut in the number of legislators and support staff. No legislator is going to vote to cut his or her own job. McLinko needs to focus on finding real solutions to the problems facing Bradford County, not just a flat out no taxes, no spending stance.

John Palmer,

Athens

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