The green space gobbler is gone!
J. Michael Davis, driving force behind the folly to relocate Nazareth's government center to a local park, surprised us all tonight when he abruptly resigned his position on Borough Council, a position he's held for eleven years. He chaired most of the closed door meetings that supposedly reviewed at least nine or ten options for a new municipal center. Davis had boasted (or complained) in previous council meetings that he had spent hundreds of hours in this mysteriously secret review. But in his letter of resignation tonight, he made no mention of the controversial proposal. Mr. Davis did mention his four children, seventeen grandchildren, and his interest in Habitat for Humanity. I wish him the best, and hope he has time to enjoy his grandchildren. He might even consider taking them to Nazareth Hall Park.
Davis' resignation is a serious blow to those advocating a new municipal center at Nazareth Hall Park. Council now has thirty days to fill Davis's seat and will publicly interview interested applicants on September 28. They've decided to suspend all consideration of any new municipal center until then.
But no matter how many new faces, Borough Council will continue to face a distrustful public until they change their attitude about the Sunshine Act.
Wednesday Update: At last Thursday's Council meeting, Nazareth Borough Council members repeatedly told borough residents that it had considered no options for a municipal center expansion since the previous meeting, nearly one month before. In denying there had been any meeting or discussions, Councilman Bowers testily told one constituent, "What part of no don't you understand?"
But Council members had a different story for Express Times reporter Courtney Lomax. They told her they're "still looking at other options," including a real estate purchase. Davis is predicting a near unanimous vote on this latest proposal.
So what is it? This is the kind of thing that happens when municipal bodies meet too often behind closed doors.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Tuesday, September 05, 2006
14 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Are you going to apply, Bernie?
ReplyDeleteNah. I could never do what they do. They have to sit and listen to jerks like me! Besides, I resolved many years ago never to seek public office. It would interfere with my writing.
ReplyDeleteWhoever does apply has to be a third ward resident.
Tonight an AFLAC duck was presented to Council and the damn thing remained when Council went into executive session. I think the duck has the inside track.
Quack! Quack Quack!!
ReplyDeleteI want to be a Councilduck!
Quack! Quack Quack!!
Quack, Maybe I will run for County Council! Quack Quack!
ReplyDeleteDo you think Ron Angle would eat me?! Quack Quack!!
Ron Angle might for fun, but I haven't seem him lately at Council Chambers.
ReplyDeleteWhat you would have needed to look out for, as a quaked up duck, was the snake.
Yes, in addition to the duck a stuffed snake was present Tuesday night prowling its corner of the room.
It was one 3rd ward citizen's visual reminder of Council's hidden meetings and it seemed the duck wasn't the only one who noticed it.
I snapped a picture of both the snake and duck. But it didn't come out well or I would have posted both.
ReplyDeleteEating Duck gives me gas
ReplyDeleteOnce again, proof positive that "honesty is the best policy".
ReplyDeleteLori, That duck has fiunally shut up! Thanks for your comment. Yes, I think the statements made to Courtney are not the statements they made to us on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteMr. O'H's remarks are rude, crude, and disrespectful. Like alot of "critics" he likes to stir the pot and then walk out of the kitchen
ReplyDeleteTo Anon 10:38, I'm not aware of anything in this post that is either crude or rude. I do, however, think it is both crude and rude for Council members to say one thing to residents and something completely different to a reporter. But that's me.
ReplyDeleteAs far as leaving the kitchen is concerned,I hate to disappoint but I'm still here. I'm not the one who moved the North Carolina.
Being "HERE" does not always guarantee positive and constructive thinking and action!
ReplyDeleteI never promised you a rose garden.
ReplyDeleteWould that you prefer planting weeds that choke ?!?!?!
ReplyDelete