Valdese councilwoman praises value of asking questions

In local government, asking questions is sometimes mistaken for opposition.

When elected officials ask difficult questions about a proposal, some view it as delay, resistance, or an unwillingness to move forward. I see it differently.

Questions are not obstacles to good government. They are how good government happens.

Over the past several weeks, I have spent considerable time reflecting on the decisions made during recent town meetings.

Like many elected officials, I often replay those discussions afterward, asking myself whether I made the right choice, whether I understood the issue fully, and whether I represented the people who elected me to serve.

Those reflections led me to revisit a concept known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect. In simple terms, it suggests that people often become less certain of their knowledge as they gain a deeper understanding of a complex subject. The more we learn, the more we recognize what we do not know.

That idea resonates with me because it reflects an important truth about public service: major decisions are rarely as simple as they first appear.

When millions of taxpayer dollars, long-term debt obligations, and the future of a community are involved, questions matter.

Questions create transparency. They bring information into the open. They help citizens understand not only what decisions are being made, but why they are being made. They also create a public record that future leaders and taxpayers can look back on and evaluate.

That is why I increasingly choose to ask questions in public meetings rather than behind closed doors. Many citizens are not familiar with government jargon, financial terminology, or technical reports. Public questions help bridge that gap by allowing everyone to hear the answers.

Today, our town faces important decisions involving public safety facilities, infrastructure, taxes, and debt. I fully support providing our public safety personnel with safe and adequate facilities. That has never been my concern.

My concern is what happens after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

How will future maintenance be funded? How will we continue repairing roads, sidewalks, and aging infrastructure? How will we maintain existing buildings and preserve the services residents value? How will future operating costs and debt payments affect future budgets?

These are not questions about whether public safety is important. They are questions about sustainability.

Every dollar committed today is a dollar unavailable for something else tomorrow. If a project requires significant borrowing or tax increases, citizens deserve an honest discussion not only about the benefits, but also about the long-term financial consequences.

Will current revenues be sufficient? Will future councils face difficult cuts? Will additional tax increases eventually be needed?

Perhaps there are good answers to these questions. I hope there are. But until those answers have been fully explored and clearly communicated, I believe it is my responsibility to keep asking.

Not because I oppose progress.

Not because I oppose investment.

And certainly not because I oppose public safety.

I ask because today’s decisions will be paid for by tomorrow’s taxpayers.

Responsible leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about having the humility to keep seeking them.

And that begins by asking the questions that matter.