Two of the most controversial topics to invade the Upper Perkiomen Valley have, for now, been removed from the front burner.

            Whether or not to proceed with building a new middle school for the Upper Perkiomen School District and whether to disband a new police department by East Greenville borough were subjects that required a decision by many newly elected officials.  Most of whom were elected on a platform opposing the school and/or agreeing with eliminating the department.

            In regards to both decisions; some people are ecstatic, some are furious.

            When decisions are made, good or questionable, voters have the opportunity to keep or replace their elected officials every two or four years.  Voters did that last November.

            That doesn't always equate to an immediate undoing of decisions made that includes taxpayer money already spent.  Now that the newly seated officials have access to all of the information involved in the projects they must weigh the cost and effect of undoing what's already been done.

            Not an easy task, but one that must be done.  Officials would be negligent if they didn't do it.

            Decisions have been made and now officials can focus on making sure that the people will get the best product - at the best price instead of continually fighting over a decision they had no say in.

            Discussions and decisions must be made in front of the public, not behind closed doors with handshakes and a wink and a nod.  The public needs to know about the discussions and the implications of the decisions before they're made.

            Make it official.  Do the business of the people in front of the people.  Be satisfied with your decisions and have them vetted and documented properly.

            Vengeance by officials unseated in the most recent election is not attractive and only adds credibility to every vote cast against you.  Spite, by those newly elected, can cloud your decision making.  Avoid the urge to do either.  Show your family, friends, and constituents that you're better than that.

            The election was over two months ago.  Move on and do the best you can for your communities.

            Never be too afraid or too arrogant to share your official actions and decisions with the public in a timely manner.  A word to the wise should be sufficient.  A word to the foolish is usually wasted. 

            That was a fault of 2017.  Correct it in 2018.