When national commentators discuss public service, the conversation almost always gravitates toward Washington, D.C. Author Michael Lewis recently touched on this during a thought-provoking interview on CBS Sunday Morning about his book, Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State, which examines career federal workers navigating systemic disruptions. Whether you agree with his broader premise or have concerns about the size of the federal government, Lewis’s commentary highlights an undeniable truth: public institutions rely on dedicated people who manage risk, solve complex problems, and keep essential systems functioning behind the scenes.
As mayor of Greensburg, I see that same dedication right here at home. Public service in our community means maintaining essential systems and delivering the services our families, neighborhoods, and small businesses rely on every day.
Our city employees carry out both ordinary and extraordinary responsibilities to keep our community running, strengthen our neighborhoods, and make Greensburg a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Consider the work residents depend on every day. When a water main breaks at 2:00 a.m. in the middle of January, it isn’t a federal employee who heads out in subzero temperatures to restore service to local homes—it is our municipal utilities crew. When an emergency strikes, our dispatchers coordinate the response, and our police officers and firefighters answer the call. When winter storms hit, our street crews begin work before dawn to clear roads so parents can get their kids to school and workers can reach their jobs safely.
Local government is uniquely accountable because it is so close to the people it serves. In Greensburg, we see our residents and neighbors at the grocery store, at Friday night football games, and at church. If a streetlight goes out, a pothole develops, or a piece of infrastructure needs repair, our community expects a response—and our team delivers. Dollar for dollar, no level of government impacts your day-to-day life more directly, efficiently, or personally than local government and the people who serve it.
That is precisely why national debates over public service must translate into real support where it matters most: funding local teams and municipal organizations. Too often, local governments are left to stretch lean budgets to cover growing state and federal mandates, infrastructure upkeep, and expanding community needs. Investing directly in public safety, utilities, road maintenance, and other essential services isn’t an abstract political luxury—it is an investment in the immediate strength, safety, and stability of our communities.
When we give local teams the funding and resources they need, we support safer streets, well-maintained parks, reliable emergency response, and a stronger local economy. That support reaches the men and women who live in our neighborhoods, send their kids to our schools, and take personal pride in keeping Greensburg vibrant.
Lewis’s message reminds us that we cannot afford to take public employees for granted or reduce complex public work to political talking points. Here in Greensburg, our responsibility is to be careful stewards of taxpayer dollars while protecting the services our residents depend on. Decisions made beyond our community can leave us with difficult choices close to home, but our sense of duty remains unchanged. We must continue finding responsible ways to support the dedicated people who keep Greensburg running and serve the community we all call home.
