The question should be, who writes public notices? That is a much easier question to answer and gives reason to the other. Lawyers.
That explains the extreme formality and word mix of unusual terms not used in everyday language. Lawyers write to be clear, not concise. By clear, I mean over explanation to cover every conceivable loophole, or perhaps for the subtle loophole.
Public notices are required by law to be published in the local paper of record, which we are. Some are required to be published 2 or more times, depending on the notice.
Last week the public notice of all those delinquent in paying their taxes was published. It's a good read for those wanting to see their name in the paper. Sometimes it's a fun read. But still, it's got a lot of information to cover the bases for all those wishing to complain about a certain name being in there and why. Just pay your taxes on time and that won't happen.
This week there are quite a few lengthy notices that can't easily be overlooked but can be simply ignored. However, some of these are important, Well all of them are important but these tell how your elected officials plan to spend those tax dollars you paid to keep you name out of the paper.
Our government is required to publish an annual budget describing how your tax dollars are to be spent. Most businesses have some sort of budget for the year in order to determine if they can make a profit, increase wages, expand property, or increase productivity. There must be some idea of income in order to come up with the expenses. The income for government is in the form of taxes. The tax rate (see below) is also published. Some of that is collected every time you buy something at the store, you know the 'price plus tax.' Some of it is based on how much property you own. You know, the more I mention some of this the more frustrated I get. How many times do I have to pay for something?!
Anyhow, the reason for these laborious notices is to hold accountable our government. Read them. Keep them posted. Watch how the money is being spent. Ask your representative (city alderman, justice of the peace, mayor, judge, treasurer, clerk, etc.) all who are elected, why and how things are done. We elected them to be our representative, not our boss. We can and should tell them how to do and how to spend. To defend the elected, they are bombarded with hundreds of voices on how it should be done, some of which are just loony. They have to decide what they think is the best solution as they listen to all the differing voices. They are also bound by laws set up by previous representatives determining certain criteria on how things are to be done and how monies are to be used. Our local officials must abide by state rules and regulations which can be restrictive. Either way the Public notices are the best way, short of actually coming to the meetings (also, public) and hearing the explanation of why things are done in the way they are.
Public notices are just that. Public notice to the people that something is happening which you might need to be aware of.
Get past the 'whereas' and 'therefore' and find the 'who' and 'what.' You might find the 'why' and 'how.'
Make this coming year the year of accountability and transparency by checking out the Public Notices.
