Commentary: Dissolution of Laurel Hill a risky option

Only five people could determine if dissolving the city of Laurel Hill is a good idea.

Only the Okaloosa County Commissioners could say what would happen if the city returned to county oversight.

Maybe the county would pay off the city’s debts and pave the streets in gold.

Maybe the county would raise Laurel Hill citizens’ taxes through the roof and let the roads fall into disrepair.

No one can say for sure. I contacted a county official to ask, and the person in question didn’t want to touch the issue with a 10-foot pole.

Without an answer from those five people, dissolution of Laurel Hill would be a huge risk.

Let’s say the city of Laurel Hill was dissolved and returned to county oversight.

Worst case scenario: Things might not improve in the city, and the people of Laurel Hill will have given up the voting power to do much about it.

Now let’s say the citizens of Laurel Hill decide to continue on as an incorporated city.

Worst case scenario: Things might not improve in the city, but the citizens would have the voting power to do something about it.

For that reason, the folks in Laurel Hill should discard the notion of dissolving the city.

A segment of the citizens – perhaps a majority, perhaps a minority, perhaps exactly 50 percent – clearly doesn’t agree with the direction in which the city is headed.

The group might or might not be right. Either way, pushing for dissolution of the city isn’t the way those folks can help address the city’s problems.

Those who disagree with city staff’s plans for Laurel Hill instead should focus their energies on putting together a slate of candidates for the next city elections.

Then, Laurel Hill can find out if a majority of citizens think the city is headed in the right direction, or if a majority of citizens agree change is needed.

Let the whole city decide. Don’t leave it in the hands of just five people.