Zeigler Cub Scout Pack learns about ‘pay if forward’

By Bruce A. Fasol

In every elected body there comes a time to debate whether a worthwhile project should be government funded, or funded privately. Big cities have these debates over stadiums. Small towns debate the issues on subjects such as food pantries, and the arts.

Tuesday, at the Zeigler city council meeting, Mayor Dennis Mitchell read a request from Zane Holder, who is the leader of Zeigler’s Cub Scout Pack No. 5. The Cub Scout pack was recently activated, after having been dormant. They caught the favorable attention of the community by collecting nearly 100 canned goods at the Christmas season.

One of the things that the reconstituted group was trying to locate was the previous Pack 5 flag. However, a search turned up nothing in the way of the flag itself with the insignia of the pack. It was then determined that a new flag had to be purchased. The total cost of the flag was estimated at $250. The letter that Holder sent to the city asking for a small donation was the one read on Tuesday. It was stated that the Cub Scouts were some $70 shy of their mark to order a new flag. Mayor Mitchell remarked that the usual donation to such groups was $50, but the city was not locked into that. Commissioner Virgil Gunter said, “why don’t we just pay it all?” And, the city was within seconds of doing just that.

Then, as if on cue, commissioners, department heads, and members of the audience began taking out their wallets. A pile of cash soon appeared on the council table. And, when the pile was counted, it was over the $70 dollars needed for finish paying for the flag.

You might call this another example of Paying It Forward- without the need for even one single dollar from the taxpayers.