City, county officials failing to honor nation

Dear editor,

Are you Elmore County residents familiar with the words to the Pledge of Allegiance? It goes: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Pretty powerful, wouldn’t you agree?

The word “allegiance” means loyalty or the obligation of loyalty as a nation, sovereign or a cause. It takes less than one minute of time to cite this pledge. However, in Elmore County and the city of Mountain Home, our elected officials, Elmore County commissioners, Mayor Rich Sykes and city council members do not offer the public the right to cite these pledge words prior to conducting governmental business. Apparently (or obviously) these same elected officials don’t feel or see the need to be loyal to our nation – America.

For far too long, in this case decades, the words “we the people by and for the people” have not been proactive in convincing our leaders the importance and necessity of the Pledge of Allegiance. Perhaps “they” need to attend workshops in “common sense,” or would the fault fall on the lap of citizens who reside in Elmore County and the city of Mountain Home?

The words “dereliction of duty” by elected officials comes to mind, and all three commissioners – Bud Corbus, Al Hofer and Crystal Rogers – as well as Mayor Rich Sykes and the members of the city council are guilty.

We must continue to honor, have integrity, show respect and maintain our core values. Have our public servants forgotten who pays their mortgages, makes vehicle payments and covers daycare expenses or who covers the costs to get your hair done?

It’s we the people.

The annual salary the Elmore County commissioners receive is $53,553.04. That is a fact.

I do not know what Sykes and the city council’s wages are, but it’s all public information, and we have the right to know who gets paid what.

Egotistical behaviors, also known as “riding your high horse,” is not something I tolerate very well. To our city and county leaders, I say get with the program and open public meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance.

P.S. Should any of you “elected officials” feel courage enough to submit to the Mountain Home News your perspective, I’d love to read what you have to say.

God bless America.

– Rhonda O’Hanley, Glenns Ferry

An American patriot woman