Trying Times on Marco

With the exception of Eric Brechnitz and Stephen Gray there were no "profiles in courage" on display at the last City Council meeting. Six duly elected officials could not elect a new Council Chairman or even select one of four fully qualified individuals to fill a vacant council seat. 

Under the present Council makeup, it is obvious that Mr. Brechnitz has the seniority, the temperament, and the long-term experience to be the new permanent Chairman. If we the voters can see that, what is wrong with the sitting Council? Is something going on behind the scenes that we do not know about? 

Stephen Gray made the reasonable suggestion that the problem be solved by holding a special election. Again, Councilors voted no and the City attorney even gave them cover through threats of a lawsuit from a potential irate voter and a weak interpretation of the Charter. 

If these six cannot agree to the selection of a seventh, then turn it over to us, your constituents, to vote for one of the four qualified that you were at least able to agree to. 

The City Charter won't allow it? Then at the Council meeting in front of us all put the four names into a hat. Have either the City Manager or Assistant City Manager pick the new member. You will have solved a problem and avoided your responsibility. 

Now vote for your new Chairman. With the dust settled, turn to the real job of city governance. Amend the City Charter to prevent this type of fiasco from ever happening again and if you want to abdicate your responsibilities change the government so that we have an elected Mayor that we can hold duly responsible instead of an unelected City Manager who, at the risk of falling out of favor with the Council, has to plead with you to "just do your job." Unfortunately, the Council behavior is making it look like "these are the times that try men's souls.