#After continuing to attend city meetings and networking with other community members with the same concerns; it is extremely apparent that the deceptive and misguided leadership in Lovelock has ran deep for years now, and frankly the passion of those with interest in the Boys and Girls Club as well as McDougal field, has opened an overflowing can of rotten worms that is long overdue being addressed.
#I could start a small book of the issues that have come to light these last few months. My personal outrage is the principle of how have these issues gone unaddressed and not remedied for this long?
#How is it possible that in 2023 we have "leaders" that have allowed so many procedures and happenings to slide by when it is obvious they are not up to date and clearly scream suspicion?
#Regardless of if there are any wrong doings, or hidden agendas; any procedure on record at any level of government or local authority should be properly recorded, confirmed with proof of actuality, and explanation of actions taken.
#For instance, a budget of $1,715,494.50 (ARPA funds granted to City of Lovelock) with $608,694.04 spent (on paper) and is literally recorded handwritten with minimal detail and rounded "generalized" amounts.
#Another, after being reassured by the mayor in a prior meeting that there was a minimum of $150k currently in the bank, only to be informed by the auditor there is over $20,000 less actually there.
#And a little cherry topper; after setting time and date for a special meeting to augment the budget allocating the already voted and passed commitment to give $100k to Boys and Girls Club, it has been stalled due to seemingly ridiculous reasoning of necessary process.
#A process that is currently being laughed at and challenged by outside legal representation due to the preposterous reasoning explained by city employee.
#Mind you, this is a process that no one on the current counsel including the Mayor had any recollection of steps to as of Tuesday's meeting.
#The list goes on, however, I would mainly like to ask how is it out of that amount of money.. we are just now "negotiating" on what to do with less than 6% of that to go to our youth?
#As a community we should be furious that our youth and providing them safe alternatives (regardless of Boys and Girls Club, McDougal, parks, swimming pool, ect) has literally been put at the bottom of the priority list.
#However, all the fault is not entirely on the counsel and elected officials as we in the community have obviously not been keeping ourselves informed and on top of our role in checks and balances.
#Very few of us had any idea or even questioned where any of the ARPA funds were going to or had been spent on, prior to the Boys and Girls Club/ Outdoor gym being brought up as a potential option; you could typically count the number of community members attending regular city hall meetings easy on two hands, usually just one. We have to do better for our kids.
#Some families may only be here a little while, but those of us that have solid roots planted in this community have to take responsibility for setting up a better pathway for them.
#Nothing can change the wrongs that have been done, but we can fix the process, so we are not repeating situations and ending up with the same obstacles in the years to come.
#Transparency, honesty, taking responsibility, and a true positive effort from both city/county AND the community is the only way for this community to pick itself back up.
#Stephanie B. Minor
#Lovelock