Everyone wants a Better Clay County, especially politicians. Just once, though, I'd like to hear one get a little more specific and define "Better Clay County." Judging by the actions of local politicians in power, I think their definition differs considerbly from mine.

A Better Clay County for me, since I'm neither rich nor wealthy, includes not having local government ask me and folks like me to keep expecting lower and lower quality of services because our tax dollars are being used to provide more and more services for the next rounds of subdivisions and condos.

For me, a Better Clay County would have a government that isn't so darned efficient at helping make rich people richer and wealthy people wealthier, but better at filling potholes and making sure a qualified EMT gets to my house quick enough when I can't stop the bleeding on my own.

What would make a Better Clay County? Oh, a school system not staring at a billion dollar debt just for construction that's already needed, and one that adequately pays educators to educate instead of training our kids how to pass some standardized tests.

A Better Clay County, under my definition, means being able to drive the six miles from my house to I-295 in less than 30 minutes, and not having to compete with more and more county residents whose license plates still read "Duval" on the bottom line.

I think a Better Clay County would have elected officials and government employees who actually try to follow the law, even when they don't like the sunshine in their eyes, and have the courage to look for reasons and ways to say "No" to developers.

Next time I run into a local politician and hear him or her say they want to work for a Better Clay County, I think I'll ask them to be a little more specific.