James Padgett, Minot

I read an article this past summer stating the Minot City Council had approved spending about $100,000 to hire some company to drum more businesses. This while I watched the City Council grill the Chief of Police for asking for more Peace Officers. This while the Fire Department is trying to hire for the new fire station. This when it wasn’t that long ago the City Council caved to about 100 citizens chanting “Not in my backyard” shutting down the expansion of a retailer and costing hundreds of jobs. This while the majority of businesses are hiring. Some of which have trimmed operating hours or closed due to lack of employees. This while we are experiencing record inflation. This while raising property taxes in some cases almost 25 percent. These funds would serve a greater good supporting our First responders rather than some “If you build they will come” unproven idea.