Private citizens will likely never understand the slowness apparently required to operate government.

Since life in the real world gets faster every day, the average Joes don’t even have time to try.

But it’s still frustrating.

Drainage debates begun after an August downpour seem to be crawling at a snail’s pace, with the latest issue being one of simple communication.

Earlier this month, Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland attended a Concordia Parish Police Jury meeting intent on talking about drainage. He presented information from a study the city funded and sought to show a video. The jury denied the video request.

Now, the jury has more questions about the study, but complained Monday night that they haven’t yet received the answers.

To the public, a number of things are unclear: How hard has the jury tried to get its answers? Is someone trying to hide something? Is someone picking a fight?

The answers to all of those questions may be benign, but by continuing to discuss the issue in a public forum, the world is beginning to wonder.

Vidalia and the jury need to get together — a quick phone call should work — agree that they are on the same team, answer each other’s questions and move on.

Looking at a study shouldn’t be the issue; keeping water out of the homes of residents should.