In wake of recall effort, what do people stand for?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 - 7:43 pm
By Kreig RitterBanner-Press Sports Editor
It appears as if, for the moment, David City Mayor Skip Trowbridge will be allowed to finish out his term.
District Judge Mary Gilbride threw out enough petition signatures that the number of valid signatures is below the threshold to require an election.
This is a good thing, in my opinion, for reasons that have nothing to do with Trowbridge and everything to do with the fact that the rules are there for a reason. They're in place to make sure the recall petition process is done accurately and honestly.
Petitioner Steven Gaston has vowed to appeal Gilbride's decision, however, so even if it takes a lengthy appeals process to get it, there is still the possibility of a recall election down the road.
To those disappointed that Trowbridge isn't getting recalled right now, I'd remind you that the same rules apply to all and, in a different scenario, could protect a mayor you agree with.
So, what now?
To ask that question, we first have to ask how we got here.
To start with, if you really look at it, the citizens of David City were eventually to get a mayor who was going to ask tough questions and take a hard look at the city budget.
And, say what you will about Trowbridge, he's not afraid of being the bad guy.
There are those out there who feel Trowbridge is just a bad guy, whether it's for the attitude he projects or (the horror!) the fact that he's not poverty-stricken.
This is not to say Trowbridge is beyond reproach or that he hasn't rubbed some good people the wrong way. Because he's not and he has.
But we're fooling ourselves if we don't think there'd be a pocket of resentment out there for anybody being elected mayor.
The issue of wealth..or perceived wealth (Trowbridge's bank statements are none of my business) is something we need to look at.
Because there is that feeling out there among some people that somehow people who have more money or own a successful business are somehow "elites" who look down on us "regular folk."
Some rich people out there do, indeed, do just that and do make money off the backs of everybody else.
But a lot of rich people work their backsides off. And it's not as if it's easy dealing with the headaches of maintaining a business.
As the late Notorious B.I.G. put it, "Mo' money, mo' problems."
So, depending on how you look at it, there is a segment of this community that legitimately feel disenfranchised or is suffering from envy.
For some, the resentment was going to extend to city administrator Joe Johnson (or whoever had his job) because of some belief that an administrator in a town this size should somehow make the same amount of money as a fry cook at McDonald's.
Over a period of time, Trowbridge started to ask some tough questions, particularly when it
came to the city budget.
These were legitimate and fair questions about what the city funds and how much it funds it. He looked at the amount of overtime used by city employees. He put forth the idea that the city should look at giving a contract to one garbage hauler.
He wasn't the only official, elected or otherwise to do these things.
But Trowbridge also stubbed his toe politically -- "the mob mentality" comment and Hatgate come to mind.
Although I'll always maintain both sides of Hatgate - Trowbridge and Councilman Bill Scribner - could have handled the issue better.
The net effect was a perception among some that Trowbridge is simply an arrogant despot who belittles those who aren't in the elite and runs roughshod over everybody.
What finally brought things to a head?
Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice the timing.
City councilman Mike Rogers brought forth the idea of having the Butler County Sheriff's Department take over local law enforcement from the David City Police Department.
Henningsen Foods expressed an interest in buying the current police station building for use as office space.
At this point - you have dislike in some quarters for Trowbridge's policies, others who just don't like him personally, the perception that our police department was going away.
But of course, there's no mention of that on the petition.
It's all about "lack of communication with the council" and the like.
Now...considering how few tiebreaker votes Trowbridge has had to cast, it doesn't look like our city government is suffering from some sort of mayor-induced paralysis.
Our mayor and some on the council might not be buddy-buddy, but that's true of most towns.
So, we have the gathering of signatures, the initial verification process, Trowbridge's challenge and, for now, no recall.
To those of you who signed the recall and feel somehow as if your voices aren't being heard, they are. But being heard doesn't mean that the elected official in question is bound to change his way of thinking. It's impossible for any mayor to do anything that 100 percent of the town will agree with.
Look at the numbers. Even if one goes on the assumption that every signature was valid, that's still a handful of people more than those who voted for Trowbridge's challenger in the last election.
You know, that election he won by basically a 2-1 margin.
I would tell those who signed the petition, whether for legitimate or personal and petty reasons, that you do have recall power...if Trowbridge even runs again.
Make your voice heard in the voting booth.
But, I do hope that recall supporters do more than just support getting rid of the mayor.
I would ask, what is your vision for the community - when it comes to things like housing, infrastructure and economic development? Who do you feel can achieve that vision?
Because I happen to think we have a pretty nice town here, a pretty nice town that can get even better, if we don't screw it up by remaining stagnant or making foolish decisions.
In short, I would say this to people on both sides of the Trowbridge debate - at this point, I'm less interested in what you're against. I'm more interested in what you're for.
