Cross photo in water-bill newsletter raises questions of self-promotion

Editor:

The issue prior to the September "Endless Opportunities" (Columbia County newsletter) had no photograph of Board of Commissioners Chairman Ron C. Cross. The lead article was under the byline of a county employee who, apparently, was not entitled to have her photograph gracing "Endless Opportunities."

However, the thousands and thousands of the current issues being received in county water and sewerage bills this month have Cross' likeness dominating an issue in which there are no competing photographs. There are two questions that perhaps should be asked by The Columbia County News-Times, the taxpayers of Columbia County and Cross himself.

The first question: Is it legal for one individual, holding elective office in our county's government, to use taxpayer funds to promote his chances of re-election by putting forth his photograph (which could serve no other purpose) into every home and business in the county on a monthly basis?

The second question: Even if it were not illegal for Cross to promote himself in this tacky way, isn't it grossly unfair for taxpayers who do not share his views or political party affiliation to have even one iota of their taxes supporting his "endless" promotion?

Gene L. Rickaby

Martinez