The Herald

RECORD AND PROGRAM NEEDS
COMBINING RATHER THAN
COMPARING

Continued growth in a community makes certain demands on those who are responsible for its development and promotion. It is therefore important that all agencies concerned with the community growth have a flexible plan that will result in the full exploitation of any and all of the available resources Chatham County affords the developer an ideal project. The breadth of possibility knows no bounds, its natural assets are a challenge to the dreams of each generation and will be for years to come. It would be impossible to attain the utopia of even the most conservative dreamer within our lifetime. Yet each project reveals the possibility of another or a better method by which the most recent one could have been handled.

The revelation of these thoughts are brought to light ever so often, but more so at the time when an election is imminent. This year we note a vigorous stand being made by a slate of candidates to unseat the ex-officio judges of the county, some of whom have served more than a quarter of a century on the Board of Commissioners. The incumbent group are hoping to succeed themselves on the basis of their record, while the opposition offers a broad new program upon which they expect to ride to success.

The record can be reviewed by the public if they wish to decide upon their choice on the basis of what has been done with what has been supplied to work with. The opposition slate must convince the voters not that the incumbents are wrong, but that it is possible to do a better job than the record shows. In either case all reasonable doubt must be removed.

The record has its good points in that the voters of Chatham County have seen fit to re-elect these men to office year after year in the face of well organized opposition. But, will the public be convinced that they will again fulfill the duties of their office better than any other group? Those who choose to run on a new program would do well to advance to the public the idea that such a program would come within the realm of reality.

The voters of Chatham County will expect close co-ordination of county and municipal governments, and greater efficiency in county projects intended to serve municipalities. This will require state and federal aid which many political fractions have allowed to go begging in the defense of home rule. The voter permits himself to visualize many things which can be done with local taxes added to state and federal aid. The office seeker must offer documentary proof that he can and will continue the resources of the city, county, state and federal governments to bring to realization the greatest possibilities of a truly great country.

The counter-claims of the opposing slates of candidates would make a combination that would be ideal in every way. The record of the incumbents and the program of the opposition are both interesting when put to actual test, and certainly in view of the fact that in the coming election there is the possibility that a split slate can be elected.

The latter possibility would be a source of embarrassment to some of the candidates, but would place in office what would possibly be one of the most dedicated boards of commissioners ever to fill the office, if the record and program bear out the truth.

The present board of commissioners is offering a solvent government based upon sound financing and taxing principles. The opposition offers to meet the needs of the citizens, maintaining the economy in government at the same time. The public is not in the least interested in what they have to lose by retaining its present officers or electing others. The public's vote is the public's hope it will be cast in the next election for those they are convinced will offer the greatest use of the tax dollar whether it is on the record or the program. When political factions oppose each other it is for the voters to say which will guide their future, look forward to progress and not despair the loss of gain by political prowess or weakness.