HIGH SPRINGS – Members of the newly-formed group, “Concerned Citizens for a Better High Springs” (CCBHS), delivered lunch on Wednesday, Oct. 3, for City of High Springs employees affected by the recent 6.07 percent salary cut to all non-union City employees.
Concerned Citizens for a Better High Springs hosted a lunch for City employees on the heels of a 6.07 percent pay cut.
“We want to encourage our City employees to hang in there by providing support in a meaningful way,” said CCBHS Publicity Chair Sharon Yeago. “Our employees are taking a financial hit for the benefit of the city. We want them to know how much we appreciate their efforts and supplying lunch is one small way we can help relieve one burden, the financial responsibility of lunch, and show our appreciation,” said Yeago.
The group, which has grown to more than 150 members in fewer than five days, was “formed to support good policy decisions in our government,” said CCBHS Steering Committee Chair and High Springs resident John Manley. Other members of the Steering Committee include local residents Becky Johnson, Bob Jones and Linda Jones.
Both Yeago and Manley are proud that they were able to attract so many citizens interested in supporting good policy decisions by city government in such a short time using Facebook, email and personal outreach.
“We are a nonpolitical, nonpartisan organization,” explained Yeago. The group has already created a mission statement and guiding principles, which are all listed on the organization’s Facebook page. The group’s mission and key principles are to provide for professional, experienced management of the City of High Springs and restoration of long-held standards of governing that include a comprehensive budget process and restoring High Springs’ reputation as a fair and open government that is inclusive, open and fair.
Steering and Events committees have been established by the group,” said Yeago. One of the first actions of the Events Committee is the provision of Wednesday’s lunch for non-union city employees. Events Committee members include Ed MacKinnon, Linda Hewlett, Tom Hewlett, Lisa Phelps and Sandra Webb.
“This citizens group came together out of a deep concern and love for the city of High Springs. This city is at a crossroads,” Manley said. “We feel it is important to put any history aside, and build a broader, more rational and encompassing plan for the future of High Springs that the majority of the citizens can get behind and work to make happen,” explained Manley.
“We are encouraging citizen participation in deciding the direction of our city,” said Yeago. “This is a group to help our government consider policy decisions that make our city viable,” she said. “Our group has no political agenda. We just want to help the city make the best decisions they can for our citizens and the future of High Springs,” she said.
Yeago explained further, “Our agenda is based on good policy and we will be making what we consider to be good policy recommendations on an ongoing basis. Good policy transcends politics. It’s not about who happens to be in the office at the moment. It’s about how our government serves its citizens now and in the future.”
“What we’re trying to do is develop solutions for what we feel are the problems we now have,” Manley said. “We are a strategic group, not a political group,” he insisted. “Politics is not a part of what we’re doing. We want to contribute solutions and encourage other citizens to get involved to help do the same,” he said.
“We have problems that may take 5 or 10 years…or possibly more, to solve. Previous commissions made decisions under different economic conditions than we have today. Perhaps we have to look at earlier decisions in a different light given our current economic condition. We want a city that is professional and well run,” he said. “We just want to participate in the process.”
Anyone interested in more information about Concerned Citizens for a Better High Springs may locate their website on Facebook or contact a member of the organization.
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email Cwalker@alachuatoday.com
Concerned Citizens for a Better High Springs hosted a lunch for City employees on the heels of a 6.07 percent pay cut.
“We want to encourage our City employees to hang in there by providing support in a meaningful way,” said CCBHS Publicity Chair Sharon Yeago. “Our employees are taking a financial hit for the benefit of the city. We want them to know how much we appreciate their efforts and supplying lunch is one small way we can help relieve one burden, the financial responsibility of lunch, and show our appreciation,” said Yeago.
The group, which has grown to more than 150 members in fewer than five days, was “formed to support good policy decisions in our government,” said CCBHS Steering Committee Chair and High Springs resident John Manley. Other members of the Steering Committee include local residents Becky Johnson, Bob Jones and Linda Jones.
Both Yeago and Manley are proud that they were able to attract so many citizens interested in supporting good policy decisions by city government in such a short time using Facebook, email and personal outreach.
“We are a nonpolitical, nonpartisan organization,” explained Yeago. The group has already created a mission statement and guiding principles, which are all listed on the organization’s Facebook page. The group’s mission and key principles are to provide for professional, experienced management of the City of High Springs and restoration of long-held standards of governing that include a comprehensive budget process and restoring High Springs’ reputation as a fair and open government that is inclusive, open and fair.
Steering and Events committees have been established by the group,” said Yeago. One of the first actions of the Events Committee is the provision of Wednesday’s lunch for non-union city employees. Events Committee members include Ed MacKinnon, Linda Hewlett, Tom Hewlett, Lisa Phelps and Sandra Webb.
“This citizens group came together out of a deep concern and love for the city of High Springs. This city is at a crossroads,” Manley said. “We feel it is important to put any history aside, and build a broader, more rational and encompassing plan for the future of High Springs that the majority of the citizens can get behind and work to make happen,” explained Manley.
“We are encouraging citizen participation in deciding the direction of our city,” said Yeago. “This is a group to help our government consider policy decisions that make our city viable,” she said. “Our group has no political agenda. We just want to help the city make the best decisions they can for our citizens and the future of High Springs,” she said.
Yeago explained further, “Our agenda is based on good policy and we will be making what we consider to be good policy recommendations on an ongoing basis. Good policy transcends politics. It’s not about who happens to be in the office at the moment. It’s about how our government serves its citizens now and in the future.”
“What we’re trying to do is develop solutions for what we feel are the problems we now have,” Manley said. “We are a strategic group, not a political group,” he insisted. “Politics is not a part of what we’re doing. We want to contribute solutions and encourage other citizens to get involved to help do the same,” he said.
“We have problems that may take 5 or 10 years…or possibly more, to solve. Previous commissions made decisions under different economic conditions than we have today. Perhaps we have to look at earlier decisions in a different light given our current economic condition. We want a city that is professional and well run,” he said. “We just want to participate in the process.”
Anyone interested in more information about Concerned Citizens for a Better High Springs may locate their website on Facebook or contact a member of the organization.
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email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.