Ridge Heights mayor: I know that I am considered a politician, but I'm still a contractor at heart. I just can't seem to reason the difference in liability between the two. As a contractor, I tell the customer what I intend to do and the cost for doing it. If I don't deliver on what I said, I can be accused of fraud, deception, misrepresentation with intent to cheat, and I'm sure a variety of other words or phrases available on the books to help make the charges stick. As a politician, I tell the people what I intend to do for their votes and the salary I'll be receiving, but if I don't do a damn thing I promised nothing happens other than being called a liar, and I might get voted out of office in the next election. Who cares what they call me; I still get my money, and I may even vote myself a raise in the meantime. I probably wouldn't get voted out anyway since I heard people say 'what difference does it make they're all the same'. Funny, I heard people said the same thing about contractors. I would think if we're supposed to treat everyone equally, then that's what we should do. Maybe city council should dedicate some of their time to see if we can change the way our elections are handled here in Ridge Heights. Maybe they can come up with a contract that elected officials can enter their promises and then sign it, with a specific penalty if not honored. After all this talking, I guess somebody would ask why would I draw attention to myself and the office of the mayor by saying such things? My answer is simply, "That's what I like about the opinion page; it's just an opinion."
Mrs. Moss, owner of Moss's Cleaners: I think they should get rid of those parking meters once and for all. Just look at them. We try to keep the fronts of our businesses attractive, and you have that ridiculous grey metal pole that looks like it has an alien head on it. Charging people to park who want to help support a business along main street; shame on them. Why should someone who comes to pick up a shirt or pants or whatever have to pay to park for five minutes. Some of my customers haven't had change so they try to park anyway, and when they get back to their car they have a ten dollar ticket on the windshield. They spend four dollars with me, but have to pay ten dollars to do it. How they get caught so quickly always amazes me. The meter keepers must hide behind cars or in the bushes somewhere. I hear the complaints all the time. Where did they come from? I didn't even see anyone walking around. How did they write it so fast? My customers know that I've tried to put a stop to it, but some have quit using us anyway. It makes it hard for us to stay in business, and we miss seeing them. We're thinking about lowering our delivery fee to try to help that way. Who knows, maybe municipal will quit trying to get a quarter any way they can and give everyone a break, but until then it's going to be the same tomorrow as today.
Anonymous, Ridge Heights resident: I think the mayor and Mrs. Moss should stay off the opinion page.
Opinion: Ridge Heights residents
Jerry Tanners, Moss's delivery: Hey, Anonymous. At least Mrs. Moss and the mayor have the nerve to let people know who they are when they post. Put a little more oomf in your life!
Officer Singer, Ridge Heights police: Some people should weigh both sides of an issue before making their opinion public. We charge for parking so that someone doesn't park in front of a business all day while they take a bus or jump in someone else's vehicle to get around. We only charge a quarter for fifteen minutes, or a dollar an hour, which really isn't that much to help keep spaces available for customers. The money we collect, which maybe some don't know, is used to pay the meter keepers so that it doesn't all have to come out of tax revenues. When the ticket is given, the meter keepers have no idea how long the car was there. They sure as h^)) aren't hiding in bushes or behind cars!