I sometimes mourn the decision to stay and make a home in this city, which I grew up in.

A city flower? Now? … Why?

The thought of one more transparent emblem that represents the City of Auburn troubles me.

In former days, I would not have passed judgement on a simple idea to recognize nature in a way that also admonishes my hometown.

But these are different times. Our economy stinks, our morale stinks, and there isn’t a flower around that can sweeten that stench.

I can only hold disdain for the whole idea due to this city’s recent track history with spending money on worthless beautification at the expense of us all.

Pick a flower? Then what … allow me to guess.

We could pay thousands of city dollars to have sculptures made and placed alongside the dragonflies and black ants that litter West Main Street near the bike trail, etc. Not to mention all the countless employee hours and additional funds that would be spent on changing all city letterheads, stationery, envelopes, tourist signs (that’s funny) and whatever else was deemed necessary by our fearless leader, Mr. Monopoly.

The fact is, the real problems and debt this city is facing will not disappear by giving Mayor Lewis another cause to throw real money at.

Many brothers helped build this fine city, but they weren’t the Parker Brothers.

We can’t keep building houses and hotels on Boardwalk when our citizens can’t even roll their way to Free Parking.

– Blaine Rutledge