April 24, 2024
From discussion at the April 23, 2024 Council meeting, it is very clear that
some of the aldermen have a very short memory, or simply change directions
without reflection of the recent past. Or worse, they say one thing, but it appears
they mean something completely different. Some of them suffer from the
proverbial “fork-tongue” syndrome.
In discussion of citizen appointments to various committees, boards and
commissions by the mayor, the same people who fumbled and bumbled 10-months ago
in a similar discussion on an (my) re-appointment to the Fire & Police
Commission, several stated, “there needs to be a change”, or “he’s been in
there too long”. Now, the same aldermen are preaching to the public that
“longevity is good; we need to retain those individuals who unselfishly
offer their services, especially those with many years of experience”.
What did I miss? What changed in the last 10 months that they speak with
fork tongue?
Taking their job very seriously, some alderman stated they received input
from citizens questioning the fitness of the person the mayor wants to
reappoint to the FPC. That went nowhere! “It’s the mayor’s choice, we
should leave it at that”. WHAT!?!?
“Once they’re appointed, if there is a problem with their performance,
that should be brought up with that board chairman”. Hey, once a FPC commissioner
is appointed to a 5-year term…just try and unseat them! You don’t just simply
give them the boot! It’s much more complicated than that. AND WHAT IF…that
chairman is the person who is the problem? It’s better to judge from past
experience and head it off at the pass now, than to have to deal with it in the
future when there is a problem. It’s too bad that some insist that what the
individual did is so commendable! It was not!! It ended up he did the dirty work for the same council members who set him high and praise him! I know what the problem was at the time, and I would have handled it differently. I even told him that when he asked what he should do about it. Instead, that individual did
nothing but cause trouble in the process, and then passed it off to another
person to finish, as he sat in the background and had a meltdown. He even left the FPC
because of the “heat”.
The mayor made comments in this discussion regarding the make-up of the FPC. stating “we need regular people” on this commission. She claims there are or have been police and fire on personnel on the commission, THIS IS NOT TRUE! I don’t recall ANY person from either department on the FPC. One exception being a “retired” police officer currently on the FPC. And having worked with that individual in the past, his life experiences as an officer were at times valuable in discussion of issues before the commission.
Before voting on other appointees up for consideration, one alderman wanted
more information on the background of an appointee to the Plan Commission…and
the mayor could offer no further information in answer to that question – she
even admitted she did not know the person!! You don’t know the
person – but you want to appoint them to one of the more important city
commissions?? COME ON!
It’s sad when the public is subjected to the whine of someone in that
office, entrusted with performing one of the many duties of the office, and
offering an insight into how difficult it was to do that one thing! The job of
mayor isn’t just cutting ribbons and singing God Bless America. It means
leading – leading the council through the many issues facing the city today!
There simply is no leadership. It appears the tail is wagging the dog, and
those pulling the selfish strings in the background relish the free hand they
are offered to do whatever they want, all nilly-willy – as is their character.
And the citizens of Marshfield, the businesses, and the city employees are
left suffering because of this lack of leadership.
How can something so simple as citizens appointments get so screwed up!?!?
(it’s lack of leadership)