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COUNCIL EXPRESSES RELIEF AND SADNESS AT CONVICTION
January 25, 2008
Councilwoman Virginia Ullom was the most emotional “Not a happy thing for me”. She continued to say “Matt has to take care of his problem.....I don’t feel good about that, I wish it did not happen to him. I hope that he straightens up. Good move on his part to get in a program. But my first concern is the city.”
Ullom as noted focused on the potential problems for the city in the wake of Staniszewski’s extended stay in the county jail. Though some news outlets have reported that Staniszewski will be granted leave to attend council meetings, District Attorney Steve Toprani informed us that it was not part of the plea agreement though Staniszewski requested it. He informed us that his office will have no role in determining whether Staniszewski will be granted work release for council meetings. He did inform the Weekly Recorder that Staniszewski was granted work release if he is eligible, which is likely.
Most states put restrictions on work release for those people with histories of violent crimes, Staniszewski has no previous criminal record outside of a previous DUI charge.
Newly elected councilman Tom Blackhurst stated simple “I hope he gets the help he needs”. Blackhurst and Terry Faust could now form a voting block capable of stopping any ordinance or resolution that they don’t agree on. The result is that Staniszewski, who figured to be potentially a swing vote, could be absent for the key votes.
Mayor Sonny Spossey seemed more focused on the problems that will face the city with Staniszewski in prison. He admitted that there was no plan as to would take over Staniszewski’s duties with the Street Department. One of the reasons for the failure of a plan was the belief that any future punishment would have to wait until after his scheduled hearing in February.
The city will have some time to prepare potentially as Staniszewski has until January 31st to report to the prison. Only a few prisoners report ahead of time to prison, so it is likely that he will be available for yesterday’s budget meeting.
Regardless most observers believe that there will be renewed attempts to remove the wayward councilman from his office. Whether these attempts will be more successful or not will be seen. Solicitor Lane Turturice was not available for comment by press time for this story.
