A new year, a new MLIRD

A new year can mean new beginnings for some. Maybe a new job, school, baby, fitness plan, or other life changes are in store for you. At any rate, changes, fresh ideas and new faces aren't necessarily negative things.

That appears to be true in the case of the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation Board of Directors' board expansion.

The board added two new members with its December election, former Grant County Fairgrounds Manager Bill Bailey and Jeff Foster, a Moses Lake realtor.

They join existing board directors Ron Covey, Mick Hansen and Ken Kernan.

We expect big things from this board and hope they'll be successful at working together and finding a middle ground during times of disagreement.

The board has a lot on its place, including repairs on the ailing Moses Lake Dam and the removal of sediment (also known as dredging) of Moses Lake. In the past (and quite possibly in the future) each board member had their own ideas on how they wanted the jobs done.

That's in addition to budget approval and other policy work required by the board.

With the new make-up of the board likely comes new synergy and creativity in solving problems. Foster brings his real estate background to the table, while Bailey's past experience as a manager reporting to a board is valuable.

With any group, some disagreements are expected. That's why a Democracy is so wonderful. Board members (and the public) can air their differences in order to move ahead for the good of the group and the irrigation district. And if the board isn't able to function, voters can make their voices heard at the polls.

Much has been said about teamwork. We selected the two following quotes to share in the spirit of teamwork, success and our expectations for the new MLIRD board.

"If two men on the same job agree all the time, then one is useless. If they disagree all the time, both are useless."

- Film studio executive Darryl F. Zanuck

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime."

- Baseball player Babe Ruth

If you're interested in the future of the lake and the irrigation district, come check out a board meeting. The board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, at 932 E. Wheeler Rd.

- Editorial Board