A Sonoran Truth Editorial and letter to the Editor from Council Member Reg Monachino, May 29, 2014.
The Truth posted Reg’s letter yesterday as an attachment but find it poignant to have its own expression. Reg’s letter is in response to proud John Ford’s letter to Sorchych in the Sonoran News.
Here is Reg’s response to Ford’s fallacies: Step 1. Shoot Self in Foot
“I noticed John Ford’s Guest Editorial (May 14, 2014) in the local paper. At first I enjoyed the trip to Lake Woebegone, the stroll through memory lane with Mom & Pop, days in High School – I was expecting the Fonz to jump in somewhere. Eventually we arrived at the purpose of his effort. John wants to be on the Council working for the good ‘ol boys.
His campaign begins by invoking his “heroes” of the past without any specific deeds to be remembered.
From that fuzzy foundation he then takes a cursory slap at fiscal responsibility. There are never any details in this argument just “the town is weaker not stronger”. The voters are not stupid John; you would be advised to come up with five good examples of this.
John introduces his next platform issue, Transparency, with phrases designed to stir the blood, “Land of Oz”, “hidden agendas”, “magic wand” and the ever popular “king maker moves”. Here again he has no specifics so I’ll offer a couple of observations.
It seems to me that we today have the most transparent town government since the Davis no growth term. In just a few months this Council has implemented these transparency steps:
o Live video streaming is provided for all Town Council meetings
o Audio recordings of Council meetings are available within two days
o The Coyote Connection newsletter is mailed monthly to all citizens
o The Mayor and Vice Mayor conduct weekly office hours open to any citizen on any topic
o The Town’s checkbook is available online
o Information is provide monthly by the Utilities Department
o A budget workshop open to the public was conducted
o Monthly financial data appears on the Town’s website
John, you apparently are parroting what Don wants you to say. You have somehow managed to confuse transparency with the departure of the town manager. Could Usama’s departure have been handled better? Many people think so, even some who are glad he is gone. But seriously, questioning a lack of discussion with the town manager on the issues? Was he not in office for over a decade? Did he not build a water tank on land the Town did not own costing taxpayers $1,200,000? How much observation is necessary?
The facts is John, many people, and all who are actually aware of the progress made since his termination, are glad Usama is no longer presiding over Town hall. The rant about the town manager is old news now. My guess is that coming next November harking back to a hasty termination that took place fifteen months ago probably won’t get much traction.
And now John for your classic blunder. The Town of Cave Creek is a COUNCIL – MANAGER form of government not MANAGER –COUNCIL as you suggested in your column. The Council is an elected body that hires a manager to carry out its policies. Unfortunately under previous administrations it was run as a MANAGER –COUNCIL form of government, where the Manager dictated policy rubber stamped by a council of puppets, to the detriment of the taxpayer. That you could lack fundamental knowledge about the legislative structure of our Town belies your qualifications for elected office. Your confusion on this fundamental fact is probably a mortal blow. Don misstated the council-manager relationship incessantly for the previous town manager’s power and benefit. Even Don’s lies and slander will carry you only so far in the face of this clumsy inaccuracy.
John, welcome to the campaign trail, but it appears you’d best come up with a MVP game plan because your rhetoric, a lack of the basics of Government 101 and a return to Happy Days ain’t gonna do it.
But keep shooting – you might even hit the other foot. I can’t wait.
The Truth concurs with Reg and adds our own comment to Mr. Ford: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.