Maybe the days and days of rain are finally getting to our heads a bit, but could their actually be a silver lining in the dark storm clouds lurking over the City of Natchez’s budget woes?

After months of hand wringing, mouthing off and head scratching, much turmoil has been made over the City of Natchez’s poor spending habits and ridiculously simplistic budget planning in the last few years.

Most everyone knows the details of the “clouds.”

The city has developed a habit of borrowing money it doesn’t yet have to pay for unbudgeted items.

The result, compounded over a couple of years, went from being what seemed like a few peanuts to being an entire peanut factory as the city found itself needing a large chunk of money just to get through the year.

At one point, the city’s bank account contained approximately $7,000 — a large amount of money for most of its citizens, but for a city, it was a virtual pittance. The monthly payroll is estimated to be approximately $500,000, to help put things in perspective.

But in all of the huffing and puffing over the budget, a couple of great things have emerged with silver lining potential.

First, the newest city aldermen, Dan Dillard, Tony Fields and Mark Fortenbery, have emerged as refreshing trio of fresh ideas and common sense.

Second, and perhaps most important, the frustration many residents have felt over the financial woes have turned some formerly quiet residents into outspoken and involved citizens.

Those people will, if they can stay involved, ask questions and demand more from our elected officials, be a silver lining for our community for years to come.

An active, involved community is a great community and through our financial stumbles, perhaps, we’ll grow stronger.