Editor:

Assuming that the DJ "got it right," there is some good news and a great deal of bad news in recent stories about Oconee County finances.

The good news first ...

The county, apparently, has a large amount of cash on hand and this could good news. We know that the Legislature, possibly the most irresponsible group in the state, has spent every penny that has come its way and so the state is broke. Best forecasts envision state tax revenues to be in the doldrums for the foreseeable future even with federal unfunded mandates. This means that the state is unlikely to be able to fund existing obligations and it could leave the county to fill the void.

And, now, the bad news ...

The county's stash of cash could be very bad news as the council could take it upon itself to spend the money and to obligate us to increasing costs in the future in the process. I cite the allocation of $100,000 to "rebuild" the old schoolhouse in West Union as a case in point. What a waste! Does West Union need a "Visitors Center?" Certainly, it does not.

Additionally, it is bad news that the county appears to be spending at a rate well above the rate of its peer counties in the region. Why should our county costs, on a per capita basis, be well above the costs of Anderson, Laurens and other peer counties? Frankly, I don't see any Oconee County services that I deem superior. I would like to see a candid defense of Oconee County's spending, benchmarked to other counties, but I am not holding my breath.

Finally, the bad news continues as it seems undeniable that our county is overtaxing its citizens. Oconee County is outspending its peers, and the cash is piling up. I rest my case.

The County Council should hold onto its cash for the present and cut taxes promptly. Given the state's problems, we may be glad that the county has cash on hand now and the cash can always be "returned" to the taxpayers later.

Dee Brosnan

Salem