We (most people I know) are tired of the nearly endless bickering and power struggles between the mayor’s office and the Assembly. Their actions lack moral character and certainly do not create any atmosphere of trust in our local government to manage our city. I’m not picking sides here — both sides seemingly are acting like a group of fifth-graders who are fighting over who’s king of the hill.
The Assembly needs to accept that the mayor was elected by a majority of constituents who were tired of mandates and suppression of businesses. And the mayor’s office needs to find compromise with a group of people who are on the opposite side. Seriously, who cares if the Assembly wants plexiglass panels between them, or masks in the chambers, or security (been there forever), or recording of the meeting? That’s a dumb rack to hang your hat on, and then have your spokesman say it was still recorded. Yes, it was, but only because the person doing it didn’t stop at the request of the city manager.
Here’s a compromise; why not put plexiglass down the middle of the auditorium and those with mask sit on one side and those without on the other? Seems like a solution most could live with. Assembly members need to figure out how to manage money — hiring your own legal advice because you don’t trust the administration’s is just waste of money. The mayor’s team, as with many others in this community, recognize the free loot, bailout money or whatever you want to call it will end. Then what? Who’s paying for all these things?
There needs to be, and must be, accountability on both fronts — and frankly, both entities need to start acting like adults and manage our city. We wonder why children today behave and act the way they do? The mayor and Assembly should look in the mirror – they’re not great role models.
— Don Tallman
Eagle River
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