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For the most part, politicians speak in positive terms when talking to their constituents. It is up to us as free-thinking individuals to read between the lines and wonder whether they practicing what they preach.

All people are guilty in some shape, form or fashion of “talking a good game,” but not backing it up with their own actions, and for that reason we hold our city leaders to a higher standard. Nevertheless, they are human and will make mistakes.

When disaster strikes, however, they are most often the first to go out and check on the community. Look at Beauregard in March 2019 when that community was in the path of a deadly tornado. Leaders from all over the area came out to check on people. President Donald Trump even took the time to come down to small town Beauregard to survey the damage.

We are living in an uncertain time — local leaders included. We don’t know how long this virus is going to last, how many people’s health will be affected or how many fatalities there will be. Health officials have given strict guidelines to all Americans on how we can overcome this quickly.

Among those are to wear cloth masks. Many local people have been making masks to donate to hospitals, care facilities and fellow citizens.

One of those citizens happens to be Steve Tramell, the mayor of West Point. Along with being mayor, Tramell owns sewingmachine.com in downtown West Point, and it’s often a gathering place for the Quilts of Valor group that honors veterans. Now, Tramell’s business is leading a team of volunteers in mask making to be donated to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center in LaGrange, EAMC-Lanier in Valley and even as far away as Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia — one of Georgia’s hardest hit hospitals.

“If we can help anyone… we will,” Tramell said, adding that the masks are being sent at no charge to hospitals and first responders.

Donations from the public can help cover the costs of materials.

It is not every day we hear about a city mayor rolling up their sleeves, diving in to go above and beyond what their oath requires of them, but it makes us really proud when they do. After all, they are community members as well.

Hats off to Mayor Tramell and all the volunteers who are taking time out and making an impact on the people that need the most help.