Letter to the Editor

Reporting gives council bad rap

To the editor:This past week in your paper, Rudi Keller reported that the mayor of Cairo blamed the city council for not paying tax money to the fire pension. If it is in the paper, then it must be true. Right?

If Keller had been attending the meetings, he would have known that the council has repeatedly asked the mayor and his attorney what happened to the pension money. If Keller had been attending the meetings, he would have known that the council has repeatedly asked the mayor and his attorney why the money was not paid to the police and fire pensions. If Keller had been attending the meetings, he would have known that the council has no real knowledge of or any say-so in the finances of the city. If Keller had been attending the meetings, he would have known that the council has explained to the mayor and his attorney that the money received from the tax levy has to be paid out to where it is designated. If Keller had been attending the meetings -- wait. He has attended the meetings.

This is tabloid journalism. When you know the truth and still cater to the non-truth, it is plain disappointing. It is no wonder that this council has gotten such a bad reputation.

LINDA JACKSON, Member, Cairo City Council