Simply stated, it is “an expensive program that is a waste of money, esp. one using public money.” (Cambridge on-line dictionary) And that brings us to the upcoming neighborhood council elections.
From the moment that the Cleghorn machine found that they could no longer run, the boondoggle started. I guess if you call no publication of the candidate filing dates a mistake, you’re oblivious to the idea of narrowing the field of eligible candidates down to almost nothing as a ploy of keeping the good ol’ boys and girls in power.
Then we have first VP candidate Nina Royal passing out “Vote for me” flyers 2 weeks before the filing date. Now that’s not illegal, but it is unethical. And if nothing else, Ms. Royal is unethical. Hell, I don’t mind her passing herself off as an “editorpublisher” of a non-existent newspaper, but I really do not like her jumping into the election fray before anyone else.
Now don’t get me wrong: I don’t dislike the STNC — I just don’t like how it’s been run for the past six years. Insider deals, minor corruption, flat-out lies, and pissing off our councilman. And that’s just for starters. I can’t point out anything of any value that our council has actually done to help the community. OK, so yes, they bailed out the Rotary and Chamber of Commerce who ran out of money, and we do need the 4th of July events to keep our citizens happy. There is nothing else that brings them together here now that we lost the Watermelon Festival.
Oh, did I mention that most of the council board are also involved with the chamber? Hmm, well maybe next time. This is a great little community that is having growing pains because we don’t have any real leadership, at least none that can’t be bought for a two-bit certificate of appreciation. The real workers here are those who you see out on the streets doing clean-up or beautification. And they don’t get any help from the officers. I don’t understand why they just don’t put down their shovels and their paint brushes and rebel. Maybe it’s because the Cleghorn machine is too slimy and underhanded?
Yes, boys and girls, this is going to be an interesting election. New power groups have risen and are going to make a run for it. There’s nothing I can say about them until they actually file their papers, at which time I’ll bring out the facts behind their candidacy. I’m actually looking forward to seeing what they have to say, and the promises they are going to make. You may have received your belated candidacy notice in the mail; are you going to run out and sign up? Think about it, can you really make a difference? But if you drink enough of the water…