by Ann Herron

GUEST COLUMNIST

Lots of times citizens don't think about public affairs until something happens that they really do not like. Then they complain.

The major point of concern here is in Grantsville, where the city planning commission recently got a new member. Grantsville Mayor Byron Anderson nominated Mike Colson to the planning commission and his appointment was confirmed by the city council.

Colson runs a building company with his brother-in-law. The commission's chairwoman, Angela Grant, is a real estate broker. Another commission member, Gary Pinkham, is a road contractor. So at least three of the five members of the commission have direct, professional ties to the very industry whose projects they will review.

No wonder some citizens are complaining.

It would seem logical to assume that being on 'the inside' of a city planning commission would give you a lot of additional professional information -- even if you did not seek out an advantage.

True, Colson's appointment was technically approved by the city council. And true, Grant was elected by fellow planning commission members to be the chair of the commission.

But you have to wonder why the mayor appointed another builder to the commission when, surely, there were other civic-minded residents of Grantsville who would have been pleased to be offered the appointment. Granted, there is a lot of technical knowledge involved in being on a planning commission, but there are also a lot of intelligent people in Grantsville who could have stepped up to the plate.

Maybe no one else contacted the mayor about volunteering their time on the commission. If so, the shame falls on the Grantsville citizenry. Call the mayor right now and offer to serve on a city board. The number is 884-3411. It will only take a few hours of your month and is a great community service.

If you want sidewalks, good parks, curbs and gutters you -- yes, you -- have to get involved. The average citizen has a lot to offer. Your opinions and energy can make a huge difference in the future of Grantsville.

Citizens can't just sit back and criticize politicians for failing to do their bidding. In order to make positive changes in government, ordinary people must get involved.

Ann Herron is a journalist and former associate professor at Utah State University who lives in Tooele. She can be reached at annherron@comcast.net.