Just days into 2005, the mighty Ohio River bulged over its banks and could have engulfed parts of Ironton. Fortunately, it did not, thanks to Ironton's flood workers who scrambled to protect the city and its citizens from Mother Nature's wrath.

This service should not be taken for granted and may not always be provided. The city had three chances to put a floodwall replacement levy on the ballot in 2003 and 2004. However, the levy did not go on the ballot until it had only one shot at passing, which it did not, thus robbing the department of vital funding.

In 2005, the city will have to foot the approximate $150,000 bill to continue to protect the citizens and their property. Many have wondered how the failure of the floodwall levy got to this point.

Some in the city pointed at departments or councilmen that may have been at fault, but we tend to believe that there is plenty of blame to spread around.

Although fingerpointing at this point will not do any good, we need to put the issue to rest.

Several city leaders have blamed the residents for not adopting the plan that has been in place for decades and simply protects their personal property. A legitimate argument.

Some residents have blamed the city council for not keeping a finger on the pulse of the city and, knowing that the plan expired in 2003,

make sure the issue was on an earlier ballot. Another legitimate point.

Others blame the administration or the finance department for not getting it on that earlier ballot and for not doing more to educate people of the need for the levy. Yet another legitimate point.

Clearly, the administration, the council and each and every resident can share in the blame. It is time to put the past behind us and look to the future.

As city employee Todd Davis stated, "The levee is more than a big mound of dirt in their backyard that someone comes and cuts once in a while."

The system includes the earthen levees, the stone floodwalls, the floodgates and an elaborate system of valves and pumping stations to keep high water at bay.

According to Davis, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that $1 million worth of property damage is averted every time one of the valves are closed. Davis closed 18 in the past two weeks.

Now we must look forward and safeguard the city we love for future generations. The city will do its part but the residents must do so as well when the issue goes up to vote again.

As the saying goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

It sure costs a lot less, too.