The Ledger

By Becky Holland
Publisher/Editor, The Ledger

I left Mayor Carla Coley’s town hall Tuesday evening with more questions than answers.

Not because every question was avoided. In many cases, the questions I expected to hear simply were not asked.

That stood out.

For weeks, concerns about Cochran city government have filled social media, private conversations and community discussions. There has been no shortage of opinions. Yet when citizens were given the opportunity to attend a public meeting, hear directly from the mayor and speak for themselves, attendance was modest and many of the questions centered on the same issues.

There is nothing wrong with speaking out on social media. It can raise awareness, bring attention to concerns and encourage discussion.

But being a keyboard warrior is not the same as being involved.

Change requires more.

It means attending meetings. It means contacting your council members. It means asking questions directly and respectfully. It means reading agendas, learning how city government works and staying informed about what happens after executive sessions.

It also means getting to know the people who work for the city and understanding their responsibilities.

One theme from Tuesday night was impossible to ignore: communication.

Residents spoke about permitting delays, difficulty getting answers and confusion over how regulations were being interpreted. Those concerns echoed issues raised previously by local business owners.

Communication matters because when people do not know who is responsible, where to go for answers or whether the information they receive is accurate, frustration grows quickly.

That is true for citizens, elected officials and city employees alike.

The city manager issue also remains important.

I believe the City Council should reopen the search for a permanent city manager and conduct a thorough vetting process.

That does not mean Interim City Manager Angela Redding should be excluded. She should be allowed to apply alongside other qualified candidates.

She may be the best candidate.

But Cochran deserves to know that conclusion came after a complete, careful search — not simply because someone is already serving in the position.

We deserve the best leadership we can find.

And city government has responsibilities in this process too.

Transparency is a responsibility of government. Participation is a responsibility of the people.

Neither works well without the other.

I have three great-nephews and one great-niece growing up in Cochran. I think often about the community they will inherit.

I want their future to include strong leadership, thriving businesses, respectful public service and citizens who care enough to stay involved.

That future will not be built by Facebook comments alone.

It will be built by people willing to show up, ask questions, listen, learn and hold their government accountable.

And that responsibility belongs to all of us.

See you Thursday night and Tuesday night? I dare you to show up.