The Sweetwater election has come to a close. We will see some new faces at the city meetings and voters approved the liquor by the drink referendum. Time will tell what these changes will mean for the city, if anything.

I have already talked to several people who predict that although we have a new mayor and one new commissioner and the opportunity for economic growth, that nothing much will change.

I hope those predictions are wrong. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, today's economy mandates that we change the way we do business. That is true for the smallest to largest business and for our city and county governments.

Business people and local government officials are forced to make some tough economic choices right now. I believe all our local governments were already run pretty conservatively, but they must tighten the belt even more now.

The mayor and city commissioners will be guiding the city through this economic downturn and I hope they also will take time to plan for the future and where we would like to be when the economy bounces back. It may be a slow process, but we can't stop looking forward.

During the three forums the candidates participated in, they each brought to the table an understanding of the problems facing the city and each had some good ideas for solving those problems. Now, that the election is over, I hope they can put their politics aside and share those ideas and work together for the good of Sweetwater and the people who live here.

Congratulations to our new Mayor Doyle Lowe and City Commissioners Bill Stockton and Julian Walton. And, congratulations to the citizens of Sweetwater who cast their ballot in favor of the liquor by the drink referendum. As I have said before, that will not be the sole answer to our economic problems, but it will at least open the doors of opportunity for growth and more revenue. 

Jump start the economy

The Advocate & Democrat and local businesses are teaming up to help do our part to jump start the economy, or at least give it at little boost. The Advocate & Democrat is joining newspapers across the country is encouraging people to spend $20 on the June 20th.  Our ad staff is selling $20 advertisements for businesses to feature what items they will be offering for $20 on June 20. If every adult in Monroe County spends $20 on that day, that means at least $600,000 will be finding its way into cash registers across the county. Imagine what that means for local business owners and our local governments. Let's all do our part and spend $20 on the 20th!

mia.rhodarmer@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101