Redkey will dig its way out of mess (07/24/06)

Just when you think things couldn't get worse, they get worse.

Redkey Town Council members, who have been struggling for months now to chart a course out of the town's fiscal woes, learned last week that the situation is actually worse than previously thought.

New clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby has discovered more red ink dating back to 2005.

Not good news, but after sailing in the dark for so many months, the town's at least beginning to get a handle on the situation.

As Kirby put it last week, "The choice today is we're either going to have to control spending or increase revenues."

All of this is extremely daunting, but there is some reason for encouragement.

For starters, Sandy Kirby brings to the job extensive experience in managing and auditing town accounts. She's the right person to have in place at this critical juncture in Redkey's history.

Town attorney John Brooke, whose persistent questioning helped bring the fiscal mess to light, continues to be on the job as well. He'll be the point man as the town takes numerous delinquent water utility customers to court in order to collect overdue bills.

And a good crop of candidates for town council has surfaced for the November election.

Given the size and scope of Redkey's financial problems, it would be understandable if good folks would shy away from the job. But that hasn't been the case.

And current town council members aren't simply tossing up their hands and walking away. They're doing their best to play the cards they've been dealt.

Bad as things are, we're convinced that things are going to get better in the months and years ahead.

It's going to take time, patience, and discipline.

But it will happen. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]