LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Are elected officials paying attention?

In reading the May 22 Missourian, I found myself wondering whether our local and state elected officials pay attention to the wishes of the people whom they are supposed to represent. In particular, I found:

1. Many people are unconvinced that the Enhanced Enterprise Zone is a good idea for Columbia, but the City Council again approved establishing an EEZ board unanimously.

2. The mayor said he would consult the other council members about whom to appoint to the EEZ board and went on to announce that he was again appointing three of the same people he had previously appointed. The mayor also appointed two new people to the board — both recommended by council members.

3. Many people are concerned that closing the downtown area for a big party on the occasion of home SEC football games would contribute to bad behavior, but planning for "Tiger Town" continues.

4. Many people consider Rush Limbaugh to be an infamous Missourian, but the speaker of the House secretly inaugurated him into the Hall of Famous Missourians.

5. Most people wanted the state legislature to take action to encourage job creation and to find appropriate funding sources for crucial programs, but the legislature did very little but argue about how to dictate their beliefs to their constituents.

Carleton Spotts is a Columbia resident.