Rist will work for consensus

Dear editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Tom Rist for mayor!

I met Tom about six years ago through some city council matters and work with Cheer Basket of Mountain Home. Tom was helpful and assisted with answering the questions that I had. Over the years, though, I have also had the opportunity to watch Tom on Cam 8, discuss the issues with him, and observe his work with the city council and mayor at city hall.

I believe that it would benefit this community if we were to elect Tom Rist as our new mayor.

While I believe that Joe McNeil is a great ambassador for our city, I also believe that he has helped contribute to an atmosphere of contention in city government, that has effectively prohibited any meaningful dialogue on the important issues that we face! Matters such as budget priorities and water issues and growth need to be discussed openly and freely, and at this point, I don't see that happening.

But why Tom? Well, I talked with him the other day and I asked one simple question: What is your position on messing with the budget, once the city council has set it? His response was that he felt that the resolution by the city council, passing and approving the budget, should have the force of law, and that the mayor should not be making changes to it to suit his whims. Works for me!

Based on what I have observed of Tom over the years, I believe that he will work on building a consensus local government, attend the meetings needed, do his research, allow debate at council meetings, and treat the job as a full-time working position.

One other important matter to consider is that of "institutional memory." Tom has been around working on city issues for some time, and he has the ability to recognize what has worked in the past and what has not. Institutional memory saves all of us a bunch of money and frustration, as it keeps us from re-inventing a wheel that already exists, and going off in the wrong direction.

Tom has my vote!

Terry Ratliff