An impossible situation

Carroll County leaders et al are faced with difficult and challenging decisions concerning funding county services and finances. Tough spending choices will be made within the next 30 to 45 days. Many will be unhappy with what is sure to come.

The decision of whether or not to take on the Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District to reclaim jurisdiction of Jefferson Township will be an extremely difficult decision that promises to be unsettling for those who look beyond the bottom line. In the short run, it looks like it might be a good thing to do if there is money to do it. But in reality, it looks like the last thing this county needs is to forge ahead into a potentially costly lawsuit.

However, if you look beyond the surface of the situation you will begin to understand the certain future ramifications of not taking action now.

The issue is not just about Jefferson Township but about all of Carroll County. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has proven that when the sewer district wants to do something, it is allowed to do it. It is hard to grasp the concept of how those who live south of Oakdale Dam are polluting the lake, but IDEM granted Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District jurisdiction over them anyway.

And when TLRSD decides there is a need for it to expand to Horseshoe Bend, Tecumseh Bend and points east and south, the prediction is that it will probably obtain the needed permission from IDEM and move forward regardless of the wishes of Carroll County residents. Additional county taxpayers will have no representation about who will govern them because the district's board of directors is appointed, not elected.

On the other side of the issue is the service afforded to TLRSD customers. There would be no more sloppy yards with questionable wet areas. Toilets would flush as expected. Laundry would get done without a concern that too much water is being pumped into the system.

If nothing else, these attributes are desirable in the civilized world and we all want them. It's true...we do. And we go to great lengths to get them sometimes. But how far is too far? Do we give up our right to have a say about how we are governed?

Citizens and leaders alike are urged to think this situation through. Decide how you want your county to look in the future and who you want to govern you before making what is bound to be the ultimate decision.

Citizens should talk to their elected leaders and the leaders should talk to the citizens. Know the facts. This decision will affect everyone in the county on some level. Ignoring it is no longer an option. The line has been drawn in the sand and the county must decide which side it falls on.

The current crop of commissioners and council members probably did not see this coming when they stepped up to the plate to serve their county. It is the responsibility of all county residents to create a dialog with their elected leaders to help them make the decision about this impossible situation. Good luck.