By David Mann, Niles City Council

Flag troubles

The citizens who have been to the new city hall will notice that there is not a flag yet. As we approach Memorial Day, we become especially sensitive to this fact as we seek to honor those many people who have died to give us freedom. Over the past few months, we have faced numerous obstacles in accomplishing this task. From the length of the pole to the cost of installation, we seemed to have finally found a solution until we realize that where we were planning to plant the pole was too near an underground water system. The city administration is now looking at alternate ways to mount the pole. We thank-you for your continuing patience as we are all very dedicated and anxious to make sure that a flag is properly installed shortly.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day has become a holiday in the United States to celebrate the tremendous sacrifice that over a million of our brave men and women have made to defend our liberty.  This nation — this great nation that we are privileged to reside in — has enormous potential, both for good and evil. It is up to all of us to make sure that our elected officials are standing for what is right and not playing political games. Unfortunately, our political system does not frequently reward politicians who ignore special interests and focus on the needs of all Americans. In today’s world of politics, the shiniest, most outspoken politicians are the ones who attract attention while decent people, who could solve our nation’s problems, are not put into office because they are not “cool enough.” Is this what are nation fought for? I don’t believe so, but you have the power to change the status quo; you are an agent of change. Never discredit your individual power to make a difference.
I recently found a cartoon of politician who was standing behind a platform on a piece of wood that was hanging over a cliff. The people who were standing at the end of the wood were keeping him from falling by just standing there. Had they all left the platform, the politician would have plummeted off the cliff.
Today, value the privilege granted to you by the blood of our soldiers by deciding to vote in the next election. Don’t allow special interests to dictate who you vote for — do your own research on the people who are running for office. Don’t allow party labels — Republican and Democrat — to be the deciding factor in who receives your vote. Don’t allow the pied piper of Hamlin to lead you, and this nation, to destruction.