You have to love it on those rare occasions that the collection of nuts known as The Virginian-Pravda Editorial Board gets it right. Today is one of those times, as they lambast the Virginia Beach City Council for failure to act on anything: http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/avoiding-controversy-top-beach-priority
Does anyone else remember Councilman Richard Maddox's 2006 reelection campaign slogan? It was "Not Afraid To Lead". This affliction isn't something new to City Council, as it's been there for some time now. The November election has only magnified it.
As much as ordinary residents hated the Will and Bill Era on City Council, at least those two weren't afraid to pull the trigger. Granted, they usually did the wrong thing and for evil reasons, but they acted.
The City has a backlog of pressing needs, but City Council acts largely in symbolism...and that's when they actually care to act. The Virginia Beach City Council reminds me of the Jaruzelski regime in Poland: purge both far wings of the party, then have the government act in half-measures. It obviously didn't work in Warsaw, and it won't work in Virginia Beach.
4 comments:
For you non-linguists, manana is Spanish for "tomorrow".
Want Dome site redevelopment? Mass Transit? A HQ hotel? Lower-income housing? City Council's answer is "Manana".
Funny, raising taxes is always "ahora! in Virginia Beach".
They might be afarid to lead, but they sure are not afraid to over tax homeowners.
-Leo Verde-Hombre
Henry, you're surprised that Council members don't want to follow the path blazed by Mr. Maddox?
Brian,
You know I'm probably Maddox's last defender.
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