Ballpark Loss: How Did This Happen?

Mr. Mongoose,
Well, we lost another county advocate to another county because Edmonson County government don't care. Our parks system is one of the bright spots in this county so why in the world don't our magistrates care?

Dear Ballpark Ranger,
Have you ever been to a fiscal court meeting?  Neither have I but I’m a fictional character that writes advice columns.  How do you know they don’t care?  I don’t know if they do or not because I’ve never been to a meeting.  Looking at it from my view of things, it sure seems like they don’t, so with that said, I share your sentiment. 
 
I've never been to a meeting and am solely judging this book by its cover.  The county is broke, the Sheriff’s office needs more money from what I read, other emergency services have radios that don’t work from what I read and the list goes on and on.   When money is tight, be it with your family budget, business budget, or county budget, you only have two ways to make it work:  You can either cut expenses or increase revenue.  It really is that simple.  If I had to guess, the county government works on this mantra: The squeaky wheel gets the most grease.  If you are concerned enough, go to a fiscal court meeting and squeak.  When you hear that there is no money (which I can almost guarantee you will), ask why.  Hold your magistrates accountable, they work for you.  Example, if you feel too much of your taxes go toward, let's say the library, but you'd rather it go towards our parks, then talk to your magistrate first, then attend the next meeting. If he doesn’t voice your concerns, vote him out. I had a family member attend a meeting once and they told me one of the magistrates was actually asleep during fiscal court. That should tell you plenty, right there.
 
If that doesn’t work and you are truly passionate, start a fundraising campaign, bake sale, yard sale, GoFundMe, who cares...  Talent such as Greg Hudson costs money, upkeep of parks costs money.  If you can’t find it in the budget, you have to get it outside the budget, it is truly that simple. Of course, taxes could be raised, but then you'll have a large majority crying over that as well.
 
If our elected officials don’t care about these concerns it is because we haven’t shown them we care enough to vote them out. That’s the bottom line.  You, as in the community, show them we care, and they will have to-- or they will have to find another job. Or at least another place to take a nap.