Some random musings...

Regarding the “4-3 split”:

The “3” usually state their individual reasons for the way they vote on disputed issues, and their reasons are usually individual--at least to some extent.

On the other hand, the “4” usually sit back in silence and vote as if they had already agreed beforehand.

It is the “4” that appear to vote as a “bloc”.

Here’s to the “3”!!!

This whole “let’s allow non-residents on boards and commissions” thing is ridiculous on the face of it. It is not only completely unnecessary, but also demonstrates both the highhandedness of those who favor it and the low regard they have for the citizenry of Middletown.

Let’s examine the issue:

First, let’s blow Councilman Picard’s stance completely out of the water by taking it one step farther: He says, for example, that since no one in the city knows as much about running a cemetery as Fred Wehr, but since Mr. Wehr does not reside in the city, then non-residents should be allowed on the cemetery board.

Well, Councilman Picard, right now City Council is in charge of the cemetery, so following your own logic, perhaps you should:

1. Propose a charter amendment to allow non-residents of the city to be appointed to City Council.
2. Suggest to the remainder of council that Mr. Wehr be appointed to fill YOUR seat.
3. Resign!

To go a step farther, no one in Middletown has as much experience in turning around a failing city as Rudy Giuliani. Once again, using Councilman Picard’s logic, non-residents should be allowed on City Council and Councilman Picard should resign in favor of someone such as Mr. Giuliani.

No, fellow Middletonians. Here is what Mr. Picard and others who favor non-residents on boards and commissions do not seem to understand:

Middletown needs good citizens who are residents of Middletown and have this city’s best interests at heart in all of these types of positions!!! These good citizens do not necessarily need specialized knowledge. Although I do acknowledge that such specialized knowledge would be an asset, there are other ways that such knowledge can be accessed. It is up to each board or commission to seek the input that they need, but do not possess internally, in order to advise city council on matters under their purview.

I fear that Mr. Picard and his cohorts do not even understand the true and legal purpose of the majority of Middletown’s boards and commissions. They have routinely allowed (and even encouraged) them to act illegally, and the City Law Director has sat silently by as if nothing wrong was transpiring!!!