It was a scenario that played out numerous times in the Chautauqua County Legislature over the last decade. The issue was downsizing the number of overabundant legislators from 25 to either 19 or 17.
But despite the public outcry for the downsizing, county legislators were stubborn. They knew better than the people they served, thus each time the vote to downsize came, legislators rejected it.
Turn the page to this budget year - and Thursday's vote - regarding the Chautauqua County Home. Many legislators, especially those from the south county, are justifying their reason to vote on selling the Home because that's what their constituents want.
"I am leaning toward selling," said one city of Jamestown legislator two weeks ago. "That's what my constituents want me to do so I am leaning toward selling."
"I shall certainly vote to sell the County Home," said another south county legislator. "It is the overwhelming position of the people I represent who have spoken with me about that issue."
These comments, specifically from the south county, do represent a change from the downsizing debate. Often then, legislators - almost arrogantly - told us and their constituents they understood where we stood on downsizing, but we were wrong.
Who could forget what happened when the downsizing decision went to the voters? Only 13 percent voted against the reduction.
Talk about misrepresenting your constituency.
Maybe now - almost one year after the overwhelming vote that let legislators know they were wrong - those elected for the seats in Mayville understand exactly why they serve. It is not for the special interests, county employees and appointees or for party politics.
It is, instead, for the taxpayer.
