Bad time for two-month vacation for Winfield village president

While most people would agree, everyone is entitled to a vacation, Village President Deborah Birutis gives new meaning to the expression "a little time off." Ms. Birutis is once again out of the country on a two month vacation, a sojourn she takes every year.

A public official needs to be accessible almost all the time to respond to residents' concerns or in case of an emergency to provide assistance and help. Most people who run for office understand that part of the bargain. But Birutis does not yet seem to understand taking a two-month vacation is overly excessive and irresponsible.

Why is she off on a two-month vacation when Winfield is struggling for its economic life. As Birutis underachieves her way through managing Winfield's future, attempts to prop up her leadership makes the opposite point intended.

Birutis has a lackadaisical attitude, evidenced by the fact she is out of the country for two months and not here working toward a solution for Winfield's revenue shortfalls. It's not leadership when you try and shove all the problems facing the community onto the backs of the residents. Furthermore, does a good leader abandon residents in a time of need?

When Birutis was elected, residents didn't choose for her to have a nine-week vacation. Given the challenges facing Winfield, Birutis' two-month vacation can only be viewed for what it is, an abandonment of concern and a gross failure of her responsibilities.

The residents are looking for leadership during these tough times, not pathetic schemes to force through yet another unpopular tax increase that would unfairly burden the residents. More importantly, the residents are looking to their village president to be working on solutions in these difficult times, not off sunning herself for two months.

Jim Keough

Winfield