Elaine Harris Spearman Commentary: It's critical that federal dollars be used wisely

There are cities and towns across the United States that are in the throes of rebirth, regeneration or some form of re-inventing themselves. (The Roget or Merriam-Webster thesaurus states that the prefix ‘re’ means “again: for a second time; anew: in a new or different form.”)

Gadsden is like many of these small towns and cities. It is likewise in the throes of reclaiming its right to be better. This, under the leadership of a new mayor.

It must be understood that there will not be total agreement on all of the plans and projects designed to move the city forward. Most, however, would agree that tackling trash and dumping problems is a major step forward. Reviewing the vacant and decaying housing stock is certainly welcomed.

There are other elements to growing the city that are moving at as rapid a pace as government allows. Briefly, Black's Law Dictionary defines a city as “a political entity … for local government purposes; commonly headed by a mayor and governed by a city council.”

The city council is the “principal governmental body of a municipal corporation with powers to pass ordinances, levy taxes, appropriate funds and generally administer city government. ... It is the name of a group that primarily constitutes a legislative and administrative body."

From these legal definitions, anyone can see that it is in the best interests of a city that has a mayor-council form of government to work together for the good of the city and its residents.

It is a primary reason for choosing elected officials that keep the enhancement of the city and all of its citizens uppermost in their minds. It does no good to have angry people in office who are bent upon creating havoc, and unable to really address the needs of the people in their district and the city at large.

Public funding pays the salaries of elected officials and city employees. If each district only paid for its representative, suffice it to say that some would not receive a paycheck.

For all these reasons, all of Gadsden’s residents have an interest in such funding, no matter the source. Knowing how funds are spent is critical to having a functioning, cohesive plan for city development, growth, retaining existing businesses and attracting new businesses.

Council members should be keenly aware of the needs of the districts that they represent. There should be no “council kitchen cabinet,” or “shadow council" government. The unelected should not have the ultimate discretion to determine where taxpayer dollars flow.

An April 16 article in the Gadsden Times detailed the allocations made by the previous mayoral administration and the previous City Council through a presentation to the current council. The allocations were from American Rescue Plan Act funds. Gadsden is an entitlement city, so the funds did not have to travel the route of state government but came directly to the city.

After the expenditures, $18,133,484.35 remains to be spent of the initial $24,042,737. Infrastructure issues were front and center. and the single largest infrastructure expenditure was $5 million for Henry Street in District 3.

The previous council member for District 3, Thomas Worthy, chose not to run for re-election. By all accounts he worked hard on behalf of his constituents. By his own words, he withstood many sharp attempts to direct allocations to various organizations and people. He looked at the needs of District 3.

There are major areas that flood and present danger to anyone traveling on many of the streets during or after a rainstorm. He mentioned the four young people whose vehicle was swept into the water, which could have resulted in a horrible drowning tragedy.

Worthy told me that he “stands by the funds allocated to District 3,” and that the flooding issues and other contributing factors “will cost well above $5 million.” He said he is “very proud to have secured these funds for an area that had been neglected for so long," and considers it a “slap in the face to the residents of the area to have their 2021 allocation questioned.”

There is not much slip between the cup and the lip for infrastructure expenditures. Federal money is not to be taken lightly. There are accountability requirements, and there are many white-collar criminals in prison for misuse and abuse of federal funds.

It's critical that those who have the allocation and accountability responsibility for these taxpayer dollars ensure that they are used wisely, meet the needs of the people and are accounted for.

There is not a lot worse than finding nothing changed after the receipt of funds intended for the public good — the intended targets received nothing, there was no impact upon the community and the worst question of all, “Where did the money go?”

There have been too many instances over the years and across the country of funneling funds to friends, personal office establishing and personal bill paying, and just general misuse of federal dollars.

Gadsden needs a future. It is keenly obvious that it must give great focus to its children’s growth and development for a new workforce and better equipped residents.

Many of a certain age have had their day to come — and go.

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The opinions reflected are her own.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Elaine Harris Spearman on proper use of federal funds