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When the DPW comes to town
This tidbit didn't make it into my story in Wednesday's Saratogian, but I thought readers would be interested to hear that Mayor Scott Johnson very nearly ejected a member of the audience from Tuesday's meeting.
While discussing the 2009 budget, including possible cuts to the labor line in the department of public works, several DPW employees (who packed the meeting) got involved in the meeting in the usual way: applauding and cheering for their boss when he placed blame on other council members and spoke out against cuts.
Some of the audience members got even a little more involved, calling things out, even as the council was attempting to work, and even offering Johnson the keys to the trucks, apparently so that he could better understand why their services were important.
So, Johnson was getting visibly perturbed that the council's work was getting interrupted, so he asked for quiet. He asked for quiet again, and still there were out bursts.
Finally, there was only one member of the audience calling things out, and Johnson asked him again to be quiet. Then said, "I could have you removed."
I don't recall exactly what the audience member said in response, but it was something to the effect of "Let's see what you got."
He them promptly shut up, the meeting went on, and a police officer arrived quietly moments later.
I think everyone is relieved that the council adopted a budget, and was able to do it without undue drama. Undoubtedly, everyone is also glad the budget went through without having to eject anyone from council chambers.
While discussing the 2009 budget, including possible cuts to the labor line in the department of public works, several DPW employees (who packed the meeting) got involved in the meeting in the usual way: applauding and cheering for their boss when he placed blame on other council members and spoke out against cuts.
Some of the audience members got even a little more involved, calling things out, even as the council was attempting to work, and even offering Johnson the keys to the trucks, apparently so that he could better understand why their services were important.
So, Johnson was getting visibly perturbed that the council's work was getting interrupted, so he asked for quiet. He asked for quiet again, and still there were out bursts.
Finally, there was only one member of the audience calling things out, and Johnson asked him again to be quiet. Then said, "I could have you removed."
I don't recall exactly what the audience member said in response, but it was something to the effect of "Let's see what you got."
He them promptly shut up, the meeting went on, and a police officer arrived quietly moments later.
I think everyone is relieved that the council adopted a budget, and was able to do it without undue drama. Undoubtedly, everyone is also glad the budget went through without having to eject anyone from council chambers.
posted by The Saratogian City Desk at
9:29 PM
7 Comments:
Concise reporting.
Completely accurate.
I find renewed confidence in the noble "Citizen Participation" component of Democracy after bearing witness to the articulate outburst from the vocal DPW/gentleman from Porters Corners.
I look forward to his thoughtful commentary at the next Council meeting.
Though his passion is more admirable than his manners, his conversion to "Active American" is most welcome and an example to be followed... with mayhaps a wee smattering of respect for the Mayor and the elected members of the Council.
-Kyle York
DPW Part-Time Veteran
Saratoga Springs
No Hat, Very Bald
Scott Johnson forgets that when you're a public servant you're accountable to the public. He doesn't want to listen to public comments in the City Council room, but he'll have no choice on election day. Then he'll hear what the public has to say loud and clear: We don't want a mayor who has no respect for the public he's supposed to serve!
The Mayor went out of his way to be respectful. When a minority of the public takes on a mob attitude the Mayor has every right to have then removed. On a separate, I almost saw tears in Siroccos eyes when he pleaded his case. In truth I think he said more in that one meeting than he ever spoke in his whole political life.
Respect for authority, has been lost.
Mayor Johnson is a fair man, a smart man, and he has been elected to run the council meetings as efficiently and responsibly as possible.
He supports public input, but in a respectful, intelligent and sober manner.
Johnson does not have the skills to deal with such situations and has little regard for public input. He harbors resentments and last night used his office to punish a city employee by eliminating her job. This is not the stuff of leadership or courage.
Keep in mind that some of these men may lose their jobs, their security and their homes. There are ways of disarming angry people other than threats. Johnson and Ivins have not been forthcoming on the budget, to say the least.
I was there. Johnson is an arrogant man who would do well to read Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech. Freedom of speech means that public officials sometimes must listen to even angry comments. It's called 'Democracy." Johnson has even called the police on members of the public who attempted to speak more than once at a public meeting.
I tell you this, Skip Scirocco was the best man at the Council table on Tuesday night. He showed compassion, integrity and a basic decency that is too often lacking on this Council.
The mayor is a pompous ass and Ivins is just not very smart. Franck is the consumate panderer.
I am a Democrat and Scirocco has my vote and support next year.
Johnson's behavior that night is quite consistent with his attitude toward the public generally - "let them eat cake!"
For example, he is willing to move forward undeterred with an expensive indoor rec center and parking lot at over $6 million, despite public pressure to save a city park near downtown that Johnson considers a building site. Does anyone else see the irony in eliminating critical DPW positions while building such costly white elephants in today’s economic environment? How can the city afford to build and staff this new center when it cannot even meet its 2009 budget obligations? Is his consistent position of “put shovels in the ground ASAP” not reflective of poor judgment at best? Who knows what it means at worst, but this disconnect with the public is in line with other perceptions and actions of this mayor. November 2009 can't come fast enough!
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