Dan Coffey's encourages his council to blithely ignore Constitutional imperatives until backed against the wall, then advocates protecting seatholders first at the considerable expense of fair electoral districts. Dan Coffey deploys his council's rules of order selectively, generally for his own self-aggrandizement. Dan Coffey sees nothing wrong in using his gavel to squelch the speech of those who disagree, or in attempting to physically throttle a taxpayer at a public watering hole.
Dan Coffey hurts New Albany, not helps New Albany. But a larger question remains, and it won't go away in spite of the Wizard of Westside's eternal caterwauling, his bullying, and his political embarrassments.
Why does this council permit its name to be dragged through the mud by its "leader?"
One can only surmise that the others enjoy being dirty by association, or else they might do something about it. Can there be any other conclusion?
BAYLOR: Tempest in a tinhorn’s teapot
Malaprop theatrics like these matter because they violate the council’s own rules of order, which prohibit the president from joining in a discussion before first passing the gavel to a colleague, but because reticence would not suit Coffey’s view of the council president as ringmaster of a flea circus, he seldom observes protocol and frequently flaunts it. Apart from a solitary recent instance, his fellow councilpersons seem content to acquiesce in their workplace being governed by the ward heeler’s whim.
Coffey's antics are only an impediment to those dedicated to accomplishing specific goals for city improvement. As evidenced by a consistent lack of ideas and initiatives, our city council is not included in that number.
ReplyDeleteIf it's one's goal to achieve reelection without the political risk of actually supporting something and pushing for positive change, what better mask is there to hide one's inaction than the hooliganism of Dan Coffey? By putting the rube out front, one looks better in comparison by virtue of doing nothing.
It's easy to do with Coffey, as his abundance of ego and dearth of intellect allow him to believe that he's acting as a king rather than being used as a pawn.
Political calculations have made Dan Coffey the public face of city government, an icon of deceit and failure. And that's just fine with the folks who would otherwise be held accountable.
To me, the inactions of the rest of the council members is as bad as the Ill actions of the currently enthrowned king.
ReplyDeleteAs election time rapidly approaches, I am sure we will either see a change of heart, or an announcement that certain persons will not seek re-election, and it will be no holds barred.
Your Tribune piece was very well done.
ReplyDeleteExcellent!!
ReplyDeleteAnd cheers to the Tribune for printing it.
And I think Joe Wilson was trying to imitate you last night.