Commissioners took concerns about ARPA spending seriously

To the editor:

On July 21, I attended the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting to make a plea regarding the $3.8 million allocated to county by the American Rescue Plan Act. That plea went something like this: All residents in Lincoln County have been affected by COVID-19 — and the response to it — on some level. For the sake of transparency and fairness, it seems appropriate that the commissioners convene a nonpartisan citizens committee to allow direct participation and representation while considering how to spend that money.

County commissioners Josh Letcher (D-3) and Jerry Bennett (D-2) fully agreed and committed to such a proposal. I would just like to thank both for their commitment to public participation in this matter.

This has been a disastrous 18 months for our community. Perhaps nonpartisan participation can help us, as a community, mend some wounds.

Alecia Davis, Eureka