Warning: Political…and Looong

So many thoughts, so little time. Kathy LaFave and Dave Karaszewski are correct: I do NOT want Barbara Bruno and Randy Aton to get re-elected.

I do Sincerely respect and am grateful for many of their qualities and am deeply grateful for their sacrifice of time on our behalf. Let me start with Mayor Bruno.

She has a remarkable energy, ability to remember people, and desire to solve problems. I do appreciate that she, and this is all on her, was able to get fiber optics to Springdale. Though she overpaid for the land near Barker Park, I am grateful the town owns that piece of land. Cellular service through Virgin has been vastly improved and we do still have a medical clinic. The first summer we were here (Barbara’s first summer as Mayor) our cell phones dropped calls daily. It was highly annoying. Barbara mentioned she had contacted Verizon and they were going to do something and we haven’t had a call drop since.)

In fact, it seems to me, there are 3 major areas that a mayor is concerned with: liaising the town with outside entities, finding in town solutions and improvements, and the third is more undefinable. The third is how well a leader exhibits qualities that increases the sense of community and leadership confidence, and transparency, where citizens feel included and respected instead of alienated.

In liaising with the outside world, Mayor Bruno is first rate. If you recall, I firmly believe our Post Office was never in danger of closing. Nonetheless, if it had been, Mayor Bruno probably would have saved it. When there is a ladder leaning against a problem, the Mayor can climb it with tremendous energy. It’s just that sometimes, she has that ladder leaning against the wrong thing.

The way she pushed the workforce housing overlay zone through, ignoring the tremendous citizens’ reasons not to do so was unconscionable. That she voted for increased housing density twice, but not the third time when it would have affected (and minimally) her own neighborhood was disappointing. The deal she tried to make with Marriott to acquire a piece of property on which to put a medical center was so unfriendly to the town while giving Marriott way too much indicates that she is too willing to do what it takes to get what she wants. Even when it’s a good goal, there are limits to to obtain that goal. Her idea (when on Planning Commission) to require parkitecture on new builds or remodels along SR 9 and side streets for a certain distance down, screams government overreach. That she bought the property next to Town Hall at a price too high to be affordable and had to float a bond to do so seems financially irresponsible. (I must say Kathy LaFave’s point about land values in Springdale helped me feel less resentful about that land purchase.) She wants a fancy, “upgraded” park, a fancy new town hall, a bigger, fancier post office, an expansive, fancy medical center. I guess she wants the fancification of Springdale. I wouldn’t mind some fancy. Happy to let Hotel de Novo, Spotted Dog, Switchback, etc., pay for fancy, while I spring for the occasional fancy meal.

Her plans to fancy up Barker River Park with little community support and at great community cost, both in money and decrease in the park as a local amenity as it will be more attractive to tourists, is highly frustrating. The last one I’ll mention is when she wanted to put a historical center on that land next to Barker River Park. Here I must confess my first thought was favorable. Thank heavens for citizens who saw problems I did not, most particularly Betina Linsey who came around with a petition I happily signed when she explained how it would totally ruin Barker Park as the place where locals gather, walk their dogs, hike, etc. Yes, I originally saw it as Mayor Bruno saw it: the difference being I am not running for Mayor. The petition wasn’t effective but when a “more prominent” citizen also voiced objection, the idea was kaput. That kind of speaks to the third area: it really felt like some citizens were more important than others.

Many residents have come forth to confess that Mayor Bruno, told them things about Noel Benson that were not true. And she knew they were not true. Noel Benson (my son) is a thorn in Mayor Bruno’s side as he sees problems she does not. These residents prefer to not be named because they fear her retaliation. I, too, have felt her sting but she mostly just makes fun of me, and, frankly, I make fun of me all the time so maybe that’s something we have in common. Other citizens feel used by her. She’s all chummy when she wants something, dismissive when she’s gotten what she wanted. Others feel she made promises to them to get elected the first time, none of which materialized. As one citizen, who has known her for a long time, said, “With Barbara, it’s all about Barbara.” She stubbornly would not back down about Big Springs being a public road, forcing a law suit, which the town lost decisively, costing the town time and money, and costing the citizen the same thing for a result that was pretty much a foregone conclusion.

It may not sounds like it, but I am very sympathetic to her “character flaws.” I am at the head of that line. There are many things which are just no one’s business. Most of us know better than we do. It’s not being hypocritical; it’s just being on a journey. But most of us are not running for mayor and when you put yourself in the public eye, that eye has the right, even the duty, to see things that should otherwise be kept private.

I would have happily published someone’s “Why I’m voting for Mayor Bruno” article had I received it. In fact, I have asked specific people for one. There is another issue before voting day. Perhaps Kathy LaFave’s letter could serve as that. Most of you received it but she did not give me permission to reprint it. I have respected her choice.

Changing people’s minds is almost impossible. The primary vote shows Mayor Bruno has the clear advantage. Still, I have to do what I believe is right when I feel so adamantly that Pat Campbell is the better choice for mayor. Barbara is right: she has made connections that are important. If she’s an honorable citizen of Springdale, and does not prevail, she will help Pat with those contacts as Stan Smith did with her. If she does not, Pat Campbell will happily and successfully make those connections. She is also right that she will hit the ground running. I am convinced she will often be running in the wrong direction.