Opinion : How Vinton area public servants live up to that name

     Vinton-Shellsburg School Board member Megan Rickels sat next to the pool, her two young sons in her lap, getting splashed as she watched the Vinton-Shellsburg boys swimming meet at the IBSSS pool on Tuesday evening. She was not their for to see a child compete. 

    "I advocated for the program (when the school was discussing ending funding for it during budget reduction talks a couple years ago), and I want to show my support for it," Megan told me.

    Then two nights later, Vinton City Council member Don Burkey, just hours after surgery, answered his phone. The city council was meeting; they needed one more member to have a quorum so they could approve a few things that needed done soon. Could he participate via phone?

    "Sure," he said. 

     These are just two examples of dozens of people -- hundreds, perhaps -- who earn the title "public servants." In addition to school board members (who get paid nothing) and city council members (who get paid a little), there are many people who give up hours from their month to help keep government working for people. They help decide which deputies to hire, how to make the most of our library, airport and parks. They usually do what they do in virtual anonymity -- unless they have to make a decision that someone does not like. 

    It's often a thankless job. 

    But once in a while, we get an opportunity to make that job a bit thankless. 

   So to Megan, and Don, and to all of you who help out because you believe in making Vinton, Vinton-Shellsburg, and Benton County a better place to live, work and raise kids, Vinton Today says: Thanks.