Is Rainsville becoming the home of big government? It seems as if every month a number of ordinances and resolutions are added to the books, and in most cases with no real logic. The focus of some council members hasn't seemed to be the improvement of the business climate and attraction of Rainsville, but to add more regulations, ordinances and restrictions every chance they get.

The Monday night council meeting produced the latest gem. "Mail handlings"...

"I'm going to make a motion that we allow our city attorney to form a resolution on mail handlings...when the council gets mail individually with their names on it nobody can sign off on that but the council."

"I'd like to make a motion to allow our city attorney to work on a mail resolution."

- Councilwoman Melissa Ledbetter

There are 5 employees at Rainsville City Hall. Is the City Attorney drafting another ordinance to go on the books necessary? Is there a parcel thief running rampant in City Hall to the point where the Council isn't receiving their mail? What is it costing the tax payers to have the City Attorney draft this ordinance?

 This coming after a "Special Meeting" was called last week that cost the city of Rainsville $450.

It seems as if some members of government believe their role is to pass more laws, regulations and restrictions in an attempt to maintain complete control. Officials talk about transparency and lack of cooperation while being combative and hostile at all times.

In May, the Council voted to enforce a $750 spending limit. Anything more than that from the Mayor or department heads would require a vote of approval from the council during an official council meeting.

Has there been erratic behavior on spending coming from City Hall? Why is it necessary to restrict department heads from running their department? Another example of control and micromanagement at it's finest.

Councilman Joey Graham had to request that an exemption be made to the $750 spending limit because tires for the sanitation department cost $900. If I'm not mistaken there was already an argument made against this spending limit for this exact reason months ago before the spending limit was set.

Councilman Brandon Freeman also argued against this in May based on the ridiculousness of a $750 spending limit when there is a baseball tournament that's ordering $800 worth of soda, not to mention other concessions and supplies.

"I want to be able to open the pool and carry on business. This is handcuffing me. If I have a tournament and I sell everything out I have to wait a week for a council meeting and I won't have anything to sell."

- Sammy Smith, Parks and Rec

"We need to be strict...Well, we just need to make sure we pre-approve YOU."

- Councilwoman Melissa Ledbetter

On numerous occasions there has seemed to be blatant hostility as Mayor Nick Jones referenced in his letter to the editor on August 8:

"I feel the time has come for me, as Mayor, to weigh in on our city’s looming wet/dry issue. Rainsville’s citizens will decide this issue in the fall election. Unfortunately, behind the scenes turmoil in the Rainsville city government has caused gridlock and disharmony. I am afraid the gridlock is hurting our city, our citizens, and our collective progress as a community. To be clear, I don’t mind taking the heat, engaging in debate of real issues or working to resolve disagreements. What I have a problem with is continually being confronted with childish political agendas at every turn. And I certainly have a problem when it negatively affects the citizens I am elected to serve."

- Mayor Nick Jones

(click here to read the complete Letter to the Editor)

Is all the turmoil strictly personal? Whatever the reason, this is becoming embarrassing if you're a citizen of Rainsville. The wet/dry vote is a month away, and if it passes the city of Rainsville will be changed forever. The hostility in this administration can only harm the city itself, because let's face it, they're all up for re-election in 2 years and then they'll have to stand on their own records and behavior (available on Southern Torch).

If you're a citizen of Rainsville, how do you feel about the current status of your city government?