It’s a dark day in Manassas when politics trump leadership responsibilities. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, it leaves an impression.
It’s a dark day in Manassas when politics trump leadership responsibilities. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, it leaves an impression.
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April 12, 2011 at 6:55 am
Andy,
For those of us that could not make the Council meeting, please do not tease us with such a by-line, and not fill in the story.
April 12, 2011 at 10:54 am
Well that’s pretty vague Andy. We are to know what you are talking about how? I watched on TV last night, is this about something in particular?
April 12, 2011 at 1:09 pm
To guess, the chair of the finance committee did not get the vote he wanted and consequently refused to present the budget. I believe this was the first time a committee chairman ever did such a thing and it was quite unseemly. Councilman Harrover, a member of said committee, was then asked to present the budget, which he did. Said committee chairman then grandstanded with a five minute speech. He should have presented the budget as chair instead of throwing a hissy fit. He still could have stated his opposition in one form or another. Instead he just abandoned post. It was just not right. That’s my take on it.
April 12, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Ralph,
Last week in a budget session, 2 council members abstained from voting due to conflict of interest. Is this what you would call “abandoned post”?
April 12, 2011 at 3:40 pm
When someone announces a conflict of interest and doesn’t vote, I’d call it “Honesty”.
April 12, 2011 at 5:33 pm
agree on conflict of interest. agree it is dismal when an elected official takes three minutes to present a view which cuts down initiatives which the taxpayers want to see happen. Not one word mention, with concern for tax rate, of the simple fact house assessments JUMPED significantly for one year after three years decline (mine jumped $25ooo just in the building, land stayed flat) and that is more a major issue for the taxpayer than a modest increase in tax rate. And floating Republican vs. Democrat so called definitions of what “conservative” means – a smart conservative makes sure the rainy day fund is solid, all the primary funds are solid, then looks to see availability of what can be done to restore deferred items like park maintenance to return the beauty to our fair City.
April 12, 2011 at 6:22 pm
Why did the Mayor let that go on for so long? It was hard to watch.
April 12, 2011 at 7:18 pm
Dudes, while I’m obviously angry about a lot of this and probably don’t disagree with many of the comments, please be thoughtful.
April 12, 2011 at 8:42 pm
a P.S. on abstaining when there is a conflict of interst: when I wrote “agree with conflict of intrest” it should have read “agree with Andy about conflict of interest”. Good ole Colonel Roberts when he made up the Rules put in the provision for it, and I have not seen yet a time one of the Council did not abstain when a conflict arose on a financial issue which they had a direct supervisory or financial interest.
April 13, 2011 at 10:41 am
Andy,
I was hoping Ralph K. would answer the question. However, perhaps you Andy, would
please explain how exactly Councilman Aveni’s “politics trumped his responsibilities” by not publicly presenting the CM budget? It would have been cowardly to not show up for the council meeting at all. I am disappointed that your anger towards his decision to ‘opt-out’ for reasons of principal would inspire you to suggest with your opening post “It’s a dark day in Manassas when politics trumped responsibilities”. Frankly, clarity has come to many of us watching just who is willing to stand and fight for fiscal responsibility and who is not!
And please explain how it is being “Honest” when 2 council members have more than a conflict of interest but represent a special interest, namely Hylton Performing Arts. Councilwoman Bass was a bit disingenuous by abstaining due to her “volunteer” position when she is a “volunteer” board member. Giving credit where credit is due,
Councilman Wolf has gone public with his role in his non-profit interests.
Thank you Andy for your fairness in your response!
April 13, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Lindy, thanks for the prompt.
Aveni’s not a bad guy. In fact, I think he’s a good guy. But committee chairs are to present their committee’s recommendation whether they agree with that recommendation or not. Aveni refused. In public life that’s like talking your marbles and going home. He walked, plain and simple, from the committee process because he didn’t get what he wanted. When someone accepts a committee chairmanship, they don’t agree to do their duty only so long as they agree with the votes. He shirked his. That’s just my opinion. I still think he’s a good guy but he messed up here.
April 14, 2011 at 8:35 am
Probably a good idea to move on from this. Actions get taken, mistakes get made, views get expressed. All done now. Time to move forward to a new day.