Darke County Commissioner...
Response: Not Always Right but Never Wrong
By Mike Stegall 

Bob, I liked your column on our little “discussion” after the Kiwanis club meeting.  It made me think of how I am perceived by people. 

If you thought I was getting in your face, I’m sorry.  Sometimes I can come across as a boorish clod when I don’t mean too.  I was enjoying our discussion, but I left out the door because we had our public session at 1:30 so I had to get back and look at a few things before we started. Didn’t mean to make you think I was mad or anything because I wasn’t. 

Anyway, I appreciate the fact that you admit that you are not a good debater.  I will remember that the next time we speak so as to give you time to think.  Fortunately, or not, I have a pretty quick mind so I can come up with things fairly quickly.  

One thing I do like about you is you are brutally honest.  All of us need more of that with each other.  I also like the fact that you can admit it when you are wrong.  I guess what I am saying is after our little chat, you did go look things up and did find out I was right! 

Now, as you stated, I’m not always right, but I sure try to be as Commissioner.  We are responsible for the well being of all of our citizens.  That means making decisions that are best for the majority of the people in the county.  Some people will like what we do, some won’t. It’s part of the job.  I still catch heck for the conveyance fee issue, but that is o.k.  

That wasn’t a tough decision for me because the people who argued against it had the same argument- “we don’t like taxes!”  Who does?  I don’t like them either, but some are necessary.  I will stand by my position that the vote for the increase was a good idea to help bring jobs into Darke County.  I still have not heard a good argument against it.   

When you were running against me, I thought your position of no new taxes at all was an odd position to take.  Still do.  Some, as you have come to admit (I bet that hurt, didn’t it!) are necessary.  My position differs from yours in that I believe that fiscal conservatism means spending the public’s money wisely.  

I believe your position is spend as little or none as possible.  As a small business owner myself, I can tell you that sometimes not spending money is worse than spending it!  

Let me give you an example.  Let’s say one of my trucks has a leak in a radiator hose, and I decide that $50 dollars for a new hose is ridiculous, so I just put some tape on it, fill the radiator, and go on thinking I have saved a bunch of money. Let’s  say I have to do this several times.  Now let’s say I am out on a job, and the hose goes bad again and I am not paying attention to the gauges because I am backing in somewhere or something, and I run the radiator dry, overheat the engine and cause serious damage.  Now we are looking at $10,000 dollars, not the $50 I should have spent in the first place!  That $50 would have been a wise expenditure, don’t you think?  

I know that people are strapped right now. I also know that government spending is ridiculous at all levels of the state and federal agencies.  I also know that it is not getting better.  I want Darke County to take care of itself, not be dependent on the State or the Federal government.  That means we are going to have to spend OUR money on OURSELVES.  

I put the statement from Carol Ginn in the presentation because I know that the people have been lied to before by politicians.  They don’t trust us and I can’t blame them.  As you stated you trust Carol, as I know most people do (How about that, right again!!). 

I also know that people will be skeptical of our purpose, (Dang, right again, huh?!) that is why I and the others are going out BEFORE we stick another tax on people and find out what they want, not what we THINK they want!  

I really am trying to do things differently, and do them right the first time.  I don’t mind people disagreeing with me, heck I REALLY enjoy or little chats.  If we all thought alike, we would all quit thinking, wouldn’t we? 

Please accept my apology for coming across as an in-your-face know it all. I don’t do it on purpose, it is just my personality I guess.  I will admit, I do have confidence in what I do, and that can sometimes seem to people that I am arrogant.  I also know that I can go too far in ribbing people sometimes.  Character flaws, I guess.  I do enjoy people, and talking (as you well know) and I love this job.  It is a challenge. I cannot please everyone, and I am sure you and I will disagree some more. That’s o.k.  

I make better decisions when people give me alternative views.  Heck, your views, more than ever, have proved to me that I am right!  I may not always be right, but when arguing with you, I am never wrong so far!! (just kidding!)   Have a great day, and keep up the good work. 

Mike 

PS - By the way Bob, I forgot to tell you thanks for telling me how I am perceived.  I can’t fix it if I don’t know its broke.  Thanks, I’ll try to do better!