It’s not always easy to watch how the sausage is made when we observe the workings of local government bodies, but one issue has focused Marietta City Council’s attention in a way that shows us what’s possible.

Regarding work on the council’s effort to address concerns over injection wells, Councilwoman Erin O’Neill is right: “The past couple of weeks have been a lesson in how local government is supposed to work for the citizens,” she said. “My actions here tonight reflect nothing other than my desire to speak out for my constituents who don’t otherwise have a voice …”

Yes, there’s plenty of petty sniping, disagreement for disagreement’s sake, and forgetting they DO work for the people who elected them when it comes to all our region’s governments — from school boards and township trustees up to county commissions. But in this instance, Marietta council members appear to have worked together, followed the process and remembered their responsibility to their constituents.

When citizens brought up concerns that required change to a resolution, the council acted.

That action has drawn the support of Washington County Commissioner James Booth, and prompted an effort to affect decision-making at the state level, as information continues to come to light.

While the nature of government and politics in this era makes it improbable that such momentum can be sustained or would catch on elsewhere, it is nice to observe while it is happening.