In my opinion, Lee County Commissioner Ed Duffy isn’t a bad person, but he’s not the person we need in office. We have enough trickery and “politics as usual” from Washington. We don’t need more of the same here in local politics. Experience matters? For who? Doesn’t seem like for the taxpayer, but maybe for big businesses offering free dinners/perks?

Library/Conference Center: Mr. Duffy has pushed the conference center portion greatly, but who does this benefit? The taxpayers? I don’t think so. Yes, we need a library in West Lee, but the conference center is a different story. I looked at the state budget and it lists $2 million for a library, but no mention of a conference center. Why can’t Mr. Duffy just let the county live with the amount we were allotted? Are we jeopardizing receiving the state grant by including a conference center? Most of the libraries given state allotments are only spending that money or a little more, not 2-3 times that amount.

Mr. Duffy advocated to pay ~$250,000 for the library land in Oakland. Yes, some improvements were made prior to purchase, but why? Initially, the county was receiving the land for free. Weren’t there other offers for free land donation? Couldn’t the land be given to the county, then allow the county to competitively bid all projects? What are the possible motivations here? I always think that a business person can ask a politician for the “moon”, BUT a politician should be a taxpayer advocate and “just say no.”

Government needs to stay focused on the basic needs of the community. Government does not need to start playing loosely with our money by entering into speculative businesses. Why is the county trying to become a competitive business? Where’s the business plan for the conference center portion showing all estimated rentals and operating budget? Show us, Mr. Duffy. While Mr. Duffy trims most departmental budgets stating that “the county’s broke,”, he will soon have a yearly drain due to the conference center staff and maintenance. Has anyone ever noticed that Mr. Duffy states that “the county’s broke” when he doesn’t want to support something, but spends readily on select multimillion-dollar project?

Government facilities: Repair your existing facilities before you build new facilities. Has anyone looked at the Lee County courthouse lately? It gets far more visitors and traffic than a Chamber of Commerce, but is Mr. Duffy planning and budgeting for a much-needed total renovation of the courthouse? I haven’t seen it in the budget. Why not? Has anyone seen the beautiful renovation in Terrell County. Yes, Terrell County renovated their courthouse, but Lee County won’t? This makes it seem as though someone is out of touch with reality and the citizens. Mr Duffy, how do you think the citizens would prioritize a Chamber vs.a courthouse renovation?\

Government focus: Police protection, fire protection, the court systems, transportation/roads, health=related safety issues, sanitary condition enforcement and some utilities management could also be included. Not conference centers that will likely be empty (look at Albany’s Civic Center) and golf courses. I have nothing against a golf course, but it is not a government function. We need to get back to the basics of government. We need to focus. The energy spent by the commission and staff on non-core areas will only detract from all of the main government focus areas.

Roads: Mr. Duffy met with a few affluent areas and their roads were paved. Did Mr. Duffy ever invite you to a discussion? Did he ever put out a sign indicating a local government meeting? How many people live near the meeting site, but weren’t invited?

We need a taxpayer advocate, not doublespeak, rhetoric, and “tell me one thing, but do another”. Politicians that live and work side by side with us should be held to a higher standard, and no “politics as usual”.

Dr. Philip A. Husain Sr