More lessons from Paisley
There were a lot of Emmy-deserving performances at the Monroe City Council meeting on Monday. I could probably (and will probably) blog forever about that meeting.
But in the category of most-humble-tunnel-visioned supporting actor, the clear winner was councilman Ed (ethics man) Paisley.
Loyal followers of city doings might remember when we last left Ed in a really embarassing moment, it was when he had a supposed ethics problem involving a facade grant and a city building. Sorry. The last embarrassing moment was when he tried to ditch Andy Pinchoff from the pension board. Well there have been a lot of embarrassing moments. But the Monday meeting hit a new high, or low. Ed was lobbying hard to make sure the downtown business network didn't have to pay for the city subsidy of it's downtown arts festival. I mean the guy went on and on about it like he was some card-carrying member of the biz network who had some vested interest in the organization.
Oh wait. He is and he does.
But, oh well, Ed is no stranger to conflicts of interest. And afterall, Brian Beneteau is a member of the business network and he chimed in about how the city should waive its fees for the group, didn't he?
Oh wait. No he didn't.
Neither Ed or Brian saw fit to abstain from voting on the matter, but they probably really didn't need to. At least Ed didn't actually make the motion to table the matter.
Oh wait. Yes he did.
It really is one of those gray areas anyway. It also wasn't that controversial. If it was, the city manager might have gotten into a mini debate with someone over how much the city does for downtown businesses already.
Oh wait. He did put a stick in Paisley's eye on that one.
This is enough to sicken some sensibilities, but I'll get over it. The city's many attorneys apparently didn't have a problem with it, so I'm good.
What really sickened me was Paisley patting himself on the back for picking up litter at St. Mary's Park after festivals or moving DPS barricades after downtown events, or helping old ladies cross the street or giving mouth to mouth to injured puppies.
I mean, really, is he that out of touch or is he truly the only Boy Scout in town?
Someone should tell him how cheesy that sounded, though. I'm not gonna.
But in the category of most-humble-tunnel-visioned supporting actor, the clear winner was councilman Ed (ethics man) Paisley.
Loyal followers of city doings might remember when we last left Ed in a really embarassing moment, it was when he had a supposed ethics problem involving a facade grant and a city building. Sorry. The last embarrassing moment was when he tried to ditch Andy Pinchoff from the pension board. Well there have been a lot of embarrassing moments. But the Monday meeting hit a new high, or low. Ed was lobbying hard to make sure the downtown business network didn't have to pay for the city subsidy of it's downtown arts festival. I mean the guy went on and on about it like he was some card-carrying member of the biz network who had some vested interest in the organization.
Oh wait. He is and he does.
But, oh well, Ed is no stranger to conflicts of interest. And afterall, Brian Beneteau is a member of the business network and he chimed in about how the city should waive its fees for the group, didn't he?
Oh wait. No he didn't.
Neither Ed or Brian saw fit to abstain from voting on the matter, but they probably really didn't need to. At least Ed didn't actually make the motion to table the matter.
Oh wait. Yes he did.
It really is one of those gray areas anyway. It also wasn't that controversial. If it was, the city manager might have gotten into a mini debate with someone over how much the city does for downtown businesses already.
Oh wait. He did put a stick in Paisley's eye on that one.
This is enough to sicken some sensibilities, but I'll get over it. The city's many attorneys apparently didn't have a problem with it, so I'm good.
What really sickened me was Paisley patting himself on the back for picking up litter at St. Mary's Park after festivals or moving DPS barricades after downtown events, or helping old ladies cross the street or giving mouth to mouth to injured puppies.
I mean, really, is he that out of touch or is he truly the only Boy Scout in town?
Someone should tell him how cheesy that sounded, though. I'm not gonna.
posted by The Observer at 5/06/2008 08:59:00 AM
3 Comments:
Why do you hate Ed?
Is it because he beat you and your buddy Rick twice?
If Ed took a dump at his business in downtown Monroe you would claim it is an ethical violation for him to flush the toilet since he would be calling in favors to get the bowl to drain.
I think Ed made many excellent points. We do need to attract businesses and jobs to come to Monroe. It would provide tax base and jobs.
It is good to see private organizations putting on events downtown. It improves the quality of life in Monroe for very little tax payers dollars. It is far less tax payer subsidized than what Rick Floraday and the DDA / Mainstreet does with their tax dollars.
Maybe the DDA should agree to help cover these expenses. It is clearly more in their charter than setting grave stones upright outside of the downtown.
Postponing the item was the correct decision for that agenda item. City Council does need to define a clear policy of who should pay and when the fees should be waived.
Why don't you go to the next meeting and tell Ed to his face that him voting on this is an ethical violation?
JAFO #2
I'm having trouble figuring out if you are insinuating something here. If you are not, please discontinue reading this. If you are, then are you questioning my ethics as to whether or not I should have abstained on a vote that didn't take place? Perhaps you don't really know if I had questioned the City Manager earlier, or whether or not I spoke to the City attorney. Perhaps you do not know that it is not necessary to abstain from a vote if your business happens to belong to a non profit organization, especially if you yourself do not directly benefit from the decision. Should I have abstained on the vote to close the streets for the walk from St. Mary's church over to St. Michael's church? After all, I am a member of St. Michaels. Should I have abstained from the vote to allow MB&T to hang a banner? After all, I do own their stock. Should I abstain from votes on the budget? After all, I do benefit from not raising taxes. Get my drift here? I could go on and on, since I belong to many organizations. If you ever feel I have voted on something and gained financially from it, please, go to the ethics board and take a shot.
JAFO#2
While I understand your chastising the Observer you seem to lean too much in the councilman's direction. His past ethical and professional lapses have brought on much of these comments (by the Observer and others (including myself)) and his lobbying for the DMBN while wearing the hat of a councilman is problematic even if it is not unethical as it seems to show poor judgement.
The councilman had a point, kinda, but he made his point confusingly when he voted on that same night to charge Stewart Road Christian Ministries for the use of St. Mary's Park (something that will not disrupt traffic nor will it cause any overtime). Were he sincere in asking that time be taken to work out how the city is to handle these request he would have asked to table this (as the event is in August and it must be approved only 45 days in advance they have time) also. Not doing so lacks judgement, insight and makes one open for questions of why did you do this, "for the benefit of DMBN or to set precedent that could benefit everyone".
The DDA could clearly help and your point is well taken. However, I wonder if many of the business feel the DDA is "helping them" at all? As such, maybe honest conversations can occur about "shutting it down".
In terms of telling the Councilman to his face. What's your point that the councilman is a ninja? That the observer of folks like I lack the wabos to do this? Whatever, the councilman (if he is half as intelligent as he presents himself) knows that he has made ethical lapses and I think he is alright with this. Maybe it endears him to those in the community that have more wealth, privilege and power than he which maybe what he is looking for - I don't know. But, while I most definitely have the wabos to tell him I wonder what's the point - that would be like telling Ms. Compora that her hair dye is inconsistent going from blond to "City Fire Fighter Red" (which may explain her support).
In terms of Mr. Beneteau; I doubt that the Observer meant anything - but, if he/she/they/it did I would add it is wrongly placed. Your voting is not an issue (I don't believe). Your conduct (voting without lobbying) was commendable and in fact your point about possibly approaching the City Manager prior to the meeting was the proper thing to enlighten everyone with. Thank you.
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