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Parent Category: Special Messages

It seems the harder we work, the shorter our days become.  Such are the days of those of us who are honored to serve the counties throughout our state.  Time does fly and we find ourselves on the doorstep of a new year.

Our challenges are common; that of more needs than resources, weather and personnel issues.  We find ourselves at what I believe may be an intersection of history; that of defending the value of local representative government.  I believe the framers of our Oklahoma Constitution fought for that value by local elected officials solving local needs and services.

Sadly, from time to time, the idea of the reinvention of government turns to consolidation of regional approaches.  Those of us who dedicate ourselves with a local presence such as a home, a name and a phone number in our local communities know the magic of local people solving local problems. 

I am asking our members to become aggressive, learn more, lead more, and explain more about the value of local government and focus on the value of local voting that would be lost as a result of these ideas.  I, on behalf of your ACCO Board and Staff, pledge to provide any information and presence to assist you in educating our counties. 

So, as we move into a new year, let’s commit to meet and exceed our reputation for hard work and standards that our counties deserve.  Thank you for a great 2012, and a greater 2013.

Gene Wallace
ACCO President
Muskogee County Commissioner