ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.

Kudos are in order for citizen Gail Hollinger, Department of Public Works Superintendent Cole Lutz, City Manager Tim McLean and the Wayland City Council for solving a problem quickly and efficiently.

Kudos to Hollinger for bringing the council’s attention last summer to the problem of removal of trees during road construction projects.

Kudos to Lutz first for apologizing to Hollinger for the mistakenly removed tree in the City Park and trying to make it right and for securing the assistance of Consumers Energy with a $2,500 grant to help replenish the supply of local trees.

Kudos to McLean and the City Council for taking Hollinger’s complaint seriously and doing something about it in a timely manner. If only the State Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder would act this swiftly on the Flint water crisis. It’s the way government oughta be.

Council members easily could have presented the too often common attitude, “Well, she’s just another tree hugger” and given her the classic response, “Thank you, now run along.”

But somehow this council and DPW chief acted on the hallowed (by me) principles that the most important functions of government are to solve problems and serve as a fair referee. All the government ceremonies and photo opportunities may be good public relations, but they really don’t advance the quality of life for the community. Most of the other stuff, if you really think critically about it, is extraneous.

Solving problems and acting swiftly may not be exciting stuff, but I’d like to pass along my appreciation for a job well done nonetheless.