Smackdown At City Hall

The Official Unofficial Minutes of the WL BOA
September 2nd

Unprecedented.  Uncalled for.

Mayor Botbyl took Alderman Clark to task for his comment during the Levy Public Meeting last week.  Clark made the comment that he felt like "I have a gun to my head" in regards to the vote to set the levy (this was captured in my posts from last week).  Apparently Botbyl took this as a personal attack and responded in kind during his Mayor's Communication to the Board.  I'd rather characterize it is the Mayor's Fist to the Board.  Thin skinned?  I would have to say yes.  Leadership, not so much.  If he felt so maligned, why didn't he call Clark up on the phone after the meeting or call him aside before or after the BOA meeting.  Did it send a signal to the rest of the Board, don't criticize or be critical of me?  You bet.

Listen, I have attended the BOA meetings as an Alderman and member of the public since 2002.  I have also attended County Commissioner meetings, Ambulance District, Fire Protection District, Mayor's Council meeting as well.  Many of these meetings had their fair share of acrimony and disagreements...never have I witnessed the verbal barrage levied by a Mayor towards an Alderman.  That includes Mayors Henderson, York, and Bos.  Speaking of " Mayor Jerry," as Botbyl is fond of calling Bos, I wonder what Jerry thought of the display.  He and wife Jean were sitting in the back row of the audience during the first part of the meeting.  Silent, for Jerry, that was a milestone. 

One of the key problems demonstrated by Mayor Botbyl so far is lack of communication to the Board, actually one of the key issues in the whole levy mess.  And it wasn't just Clark, Alderman Finn voiced her concerns as well.  She got a piece of the disdain meted out by the Mayor, being told by Pat she just has to ask to get the documents she wants, a kind of backward approach when he was questioned about documents arriving the night of the levy vote.

Man up Pat, be a leader.  Communicate, toughen up, and act the part of being the chief administrative officer of the City.  You will be just fine.