While I have disputed some of the wild conspiracy theories put out by the Tea Party folks, I agree with them on at least one major point - elected officials should be working for their constituents, not the special interests.

The worst rot is often found close to the root. When federal or state elected officials fail to do their duty, or engage in inappropriate behavior, they usually get called out by the national or state media. Ask Bob Ney, Jim Trafficant, Charlie Rangel, or South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford about the consequences of trying to keep things under wraps! Yet, local officials - township trustees, county commissioners, city councilpersons - often get a pass (even from the local media) and what they do (or don't do) can go undetected for years.

The same standards Tea Partiers apply to President Obama or Congressman Charlie Wilson should apply as well to Marietta Councilman Randy Wilson - or anyone who claims to "serve the public interest" locally.

Marietta voters might ask, "what have these folks done for me lately?"

From what I've seen around town, the answer is "not all that much!"

For instance, Councilman David White has invested much of his time promoting "9/12" and "Tea Party" agendas. What has he done for the 1st Ward he supposedly represents? What has he done for those residents who live or work outside of the downtown "historic district?" Despite the receipt of federal stimulus money (which White opposed) Marietta streets are still afflicted with car-damaging potholes. Confusing, often dangerous, traffic patterns abound for those who need to drive elsewhere to find gainful employment. Buckeye Park is still an eyesore! Marietta's sewer system is a disaster waiting to happen. Unemployment is rampant. Only 18 percent of Washington Countians have health care insurance.

Yet White - and his "conservative" council cohorts, Jon Grimm, Andy Thompson, and Randy Wilson - devote their attention to "beautification" projects beneficial to a small cadre of Realtors and downtown merchants (Marietta doesn't need a "River Trail" extension, it needs decent streets!). They oppose minimum wage, ignore the needs of the "working poor" (who do they think cleans up the mess after they and their friends are done partying on the levee?), and want to "privatize" the O'Neill Center that provides cheap meals to needy seniors. Antique stores, framing galleries, real estate dealers, flag stores, and latte shops don't provide the kinds of jobs needed to pay ever-rising utility bills, gasoline prices, food prices, and rents.

Who are White, Grimm, Thompson, and Wilson working for? It's certainly not the average working people of Marietta! They seem to be shilling mostly for the Chamber of Commerce - an unelected entity that is supposed to be trying to improve the local economy, but instead promotes the needs of a handful of elitist concerns. In their free time, they seem to be working for Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh!

Is this "conflict of interest" or what?

Fred O'Neill

Marietta