CULLMAN — During the most recent meeting of the Cullman County Commission, two of the commissioners, Wayne Willingham and Doug Williams, established a new utilities board and a brand spanking new cooperative district that will take control of the county’s water department and all associated assets. The move by the two commissioners seemed little more to most county residents than a hijacking of their water systems and left them feeling like hostages.

The concept of establishing a governing board removed from the direct touch of the Cullman County Commission is not unreasonable. Nonetheless, convincing the public that this move was well-intended, or could become beneficial, will be difficult.

Cullman County commissioners Wayne Willingham and Doug Williams left commission chairman James Graves boiling with anger and calling for voters to unseat the associate commissioners. Graves went so far as to say, “This is county government at its worst.” Sadly, he’s right. There was no indication to the public that this vote was pending. The appearance that discussions were held in private is the only point in focus at this time.

Residents elect their representatives to conduct business in plain view. Few people have time or schedules that allow them to attend county commission meetings. Advance discussions of proposals as important as creating a new cooperative to oversee water should be first on the minds of elected public servants. Accepting  public input in a planned hearing well in advance of the vote should be mandatory behavior by commissioners.

If Graves “ran his lip out two or three inches” at the mention of forming a new water board, as described by Williams, perhaps he was reacting to the impending disrespect directed at his constituents. In fact, a lot of lips should be running out two or three inches across Cullman County in response to this hurried mission by Williams and Willingham. It’s disturbing to think that commonly reasonable and respected men would resort to playground tactics where the public’s welfare is concerned.

No board should have the leverage or authority to make such a monumental step without input from the public. Time may prove that establishing the new board was the right thing to do, but the mistrust and disappointment in how this action was taken will linger like a shadow over the local political landscape.

Even if Graves’ position concerning the new board is proven wrong, he will always be right in his defense of the public’s right to know. For that reason, Graves stands on the high ground in this matter. The logic of establishing the new water authority is understandable. But the public knew little of the ones chosen to serve on the first board or what influence they may cast over the associate commissioners.

Wiley Kitchens, a former commission chairman, was among those who petitioned for the new water board. And now he will be seated as one of the new water board members. He was defeated by Graves for the commission chairman seat, and he also pushed for a pipeline to the Tennessee River as a secondary water source in his final years in office.

This vote by the associate commissioners came about too quickly. Or at least to those of us on the outside looking in, and that’s just about everybody in the county. The associate commissioners need to explain who assisted or advised them in forming the SCCD. They should also tell the public where all the discussions were held leading up to this vote. When some light is shed on all the preparation that went into last week’s big surprise, perhaps the public will warm up to the new water  authority.

But it should be noted that government at the local level is the most personal and effective in the nation. When trust is violated by those who hold elected office, the people lose interest and our communities soon diminish.