Wednesday, June 8, 2016

The Empire Strikes Back

Last comment on previous post...two alternates (Hoy/Eckerle), two nominations to the regular seats, two failure to confirm.  Why?  Failure of the Mayor and some BOA members (Richmond/Stevenson) to be aware of or investigate previous history of the City.  It is all there to discover...but one has to perform due diligence...which tends not to be the case in this administration.

THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES
Open comments are never captured in the BOA minutes other than mentioning that an individual made a comment.  I raised my hand to comment on the agenda item (appointees) which was held before comments.  A summary of my comments, in regards to my not being reappointed to the BZA.

I thanked the City for the opportunity to serve the community the past 13 years as an alderman and member of the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning adjustment.  I had made my interest in being reappointed to the Mayor and Chair of the BZA, Linda Winters known prior to the meeting as well as board members.  The Mayor never responded to my request other than to say thank you for your service...Winters told me to tell the mayor I wanted to serve.

But you know the reason...thus the analogy I used to describe the situation from the fairy tale regarding the emperor...the townspeople saw the emperor had no clothes but chose not to say anything.  In my case, Botbyl's actions, or lack, were pure political pay back.  I think it is fair to say I have been critical of the Mayor on occasion.  I voted NO, on a request by his pal and colleague Alderman Stevenson when Stevenson approached the BZA for a variance...I was not the only NO vote BTW.  Thus followed the Stevenson replat mess with the Finn/Clark NO vote and the ensuing controversy, threat by Stevenson to sue Finn/Clark.  Nice, huh?

Clark and Finn were up for reelection in April, Botbyl actively supported candidates running against them...citing "fresh ideas".  More like packing the Board with sycophants.  The voters were smarter than that and both challengers lost.  End of story...or is it?

So, Botbyl was able to remove a thorn in his side, me.  Best move for the community, I will let you decide.  But wait...is the thorn really gone?  Temporarily maybe.  Alderman Richmond's seat is up next April, the seat that physically sits next to the Mayor.  Wouldn't he love to have me sit next to him for the remaining year of his term.  I know you don't want to think about next April's elections now...but hold that thought...I am coming.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You go Mike. There are a lot of people behind you.