CITY BEAT 1-11-08

CITY BEAT

By George Murin
January 11, 2008

Washington- The mood at city hall has sure changed. During the first council meeting of the year on January 7th things seemed very optimistic. No one came forward to complain during the public participation, bickering was kept to a minimum, no executive secessions were held and the meeting was over in 40 minutes. The 40 minute meeting would have been less than a half hour but each of the newly elected officials was sworn in by Justice J. Albert Spence. This is such a different experience, usually a meeting in the past year would take nearly two hours and the fighting and bickering would make one nauseous. This time only a brief exchange between Mayor Sonny Spossey and Councilman Matt Staniszewski over spending money on a new carpet for the reception area and offices, lasted only a minute or two. Staniszewski made some good points but Sonny’s response was a great retort and put the young councilman in his place. “However there are a lot of ways to waste money,” Spossey stated, “Accepting paychecks from the city while not showing up for meetings and work secessions, allowing checks that require your signature …to go unsigned, billing the city for personal items…Attempting to have a city account pay for a private party…I could go on but there is no point.”

Sonny is a master when it comes to running a meeting.

Of the 30 some motions made during the meeting all passed 5-0 except four; the carpet, opening the budget, making the Vineyard Church tax exempt and paying the computer service bill for Lynn Galluze. Staniszewski voted no on all four.

This reorganization meeting held no surprises for those who read last week’s column. I was 5 for 5; Councilwoman Virginia Ullom became the Director of Accounts and Finance; Councilman Matt Staniszewski became the Director of the Department of Streets; Councilman Terry Faust became the Director of the Parks and Public Buildings;

Councilman Tom Blackhurst became Director of Public Safety (Fire Department) and Roger Blyth became Police Chief. City Solicitor was as expected a compromise selection and the firm of Berggren and Turturice was chosen. The Mayor acknowledged this by saying that, “We all had certain individuals that we were trying to work in as solicitor, I had a man who I’ve known for years, who has been involved with the City of Washington, but you don’t always get what you want.”

The appointment of Captain Roger Blyth to Police Chief made it necessary to promote others in the department; Lieutenant Robert Wilson to Captain; Sergeant Kevin Brown to Lieutenant; Corporal Steve Robertson to Sergeant and Patrolman Jonathon Miles to Corporal. Congratulations to all of them, I know them and they deserve the promotions.

The mayor also announced a meeting for what he called “The Safe and Secure Project” for neighborhoods in the city. This meeting is to be held on January 14th at city hall. The District Attorney, Steve Toprani, County Commissioner Larry Maggi and representatives from the Police will be there.