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Post by admin on Nov 18, 2008 19:23:36 GMT -5
Last night I attended council meeting. I will post separately on the meeting, but I want to dedicate this thread for one reason. Many times I have certainly criticized the Mayor and council. I have also said that when they are right, I will be the first to say so. This post falls under the latter. Last night several residents from Haley Street came out to the meeting and engaged in mildly heated dialog about a possible name change for that street and a remembrance of Reverend Paul McGuire. The residents of the street were not at all happy with what ever the plans are. Maybe two people showed in favor of the plans. I am not going to get into the actual issues at hand, I believe there will be a new paper article on that and will await that. Instead, this post is directed at the reaction from our Mayor. I am a good judge of body language. When ever I listen to or observe someone, I watch their body language. I have watched our Mayor during many meetings. I have seen our Mayor face the advocates in very heated situations. I have seen him a bit disconnected to a topic that is quite boring. Last night I watched, as always. I saw a very sincere and genuine interest in what was transpiring. The mayor did his thing, allowing people to speak and not saying much. This is why I mention the body language issue, I know a phony baloney when I see one. There was nothing phoney about the Mayor last night. The Mayor finally did speak. The body language finally made sense. After the public comments, he addressed the issue at hand. And took full blame. Without hesitation. The Mayor made clear that the issue was one of his doing and that the rest of the council had no part in what had happened. He apologized to the council. He apologized to the people from Haley street and took all the blame . He stated flat out, that the buck stops here, meaning with him. He made it clear that causing a problem was never his intent. He had wanted to do something good. To me this meant something. This was a demonstration of both character and integrity that can only be found in a real leader. I have seen people do what I call the weasel dance. Deflect blame, become hostile, beat around the bush, change topic,do anything to not take credit for their errors. A real leader will stand up, suck it up, man up, and state, "I screwed up." Like I mentioned before, I don't always agree with what I see in borough hall. I have not always been happy with answers I have heard. But I will be the first to say what is done right over there. The Mayor stepped up and acted like a leader and showed guts when many other "leaders" from all walks of life wouldn't have. In other words he didn't sound like a Democrat. ;D And of course, I hope giving out an earned compliment doesn't mar my malcontent reputation.  But the bottom line, the Mayor did very good. Good job to him. |
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Nov 19, 2008 6:44:58 GMT -5
I'm going to take a beating for this...but when has that ever stopped me in the past...
Here's the part that my critics will gloss over...I did not attend last night's meeting, so I can not speak first hand about what Brian has discussed. I'll take his word for everything that he says, and will commend the Mayor for taking responsibility of this issue.
I will also say, however, that I think, Brian, you are making this sound like a bit more than it is.
Again, I commend the Mayor for taking sole responsibility for the apparently unpopular decision to rename a street here in the Boro...but calling this a "demonstration of both character and integrity that can only be found in a real leader"...wow...kind of a big pat on the back for something that is, in the overall scheme of things, rather minor (in my own opinion of course).
One more time (though I still doubt it's sinking in), taking responsibility for this decision was the right thing to do and I commend the mayor for doing so...but demonstrating character and integrity as a real leader, in my opinion, is not admitting you thought you were doing something good by renaming a street in town. Real character and integrity as a leader would be the mayor coming out and admitting that his lack of action over the last 10+ years has led to the decline of our town and the influx of a group of people (yes, Casual, the illegal immigrants) who have contributed greatly to that decline, then coming up with a solid plan to deal decisively with those problems that he played a tremendous roll in creating. That's my definition of a leader, someone that steps up to the plate on the big issues...not just the little ones.
Step up and take that responsibility on your shoulders, and I'll give the same respect that Brian is showing for this rather minor show of leadership.
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Post by novillero on Nov 19, 2008 10:42:18 GMT -5
I don't understand. Has the street been re-named? If not, what blame is he taking? Please clarify.
In my vast travels in the State of New Jersey, I have seen streets with 2 names. One - the normal name, and the other just an honorary name that sits either above or below the other street sign in some other design or color to distinguish it.
I have no idea what has actually transpired, but that would sound like a solution that everyone can agree on. If that is the solution, I expect to hear back the name Novillero discussed at the dedication.
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Nov 19, 2008 11:24:15 GMT -5
I believe that there was some form of a misunderstanding/misscomunication about this street sign From what I remember Monday night, as the Mayor took it on the chin for the team... the Mayors explanation was .. regarding his MAYOR-Colpa (lol) ...,that there WILL BE NO legal street name change for Haley Street... ...,and that the intention might be better illustrated by the picture below...an example of how a street maintains its LEGAL Street Name Status, yet a community can respect and dignify a community leader through a street memorial by" Sub-titling" a section of a street..  Example... Pennsylvania Avenue in East New York, which connects the recently renamed Jackie Robinson (Interboro) Parkway through East New York to the Belt Parkway, was subtitled Granville Payne Avenue in 1985 to honor a local jazz musician and community leader.Now with this being said...there is an underling question about the placement of the street sign, ... was due process and lawful parliamentary procedure followed in the first place, namely...it aprears that the Street sign was put in place without the benefit of a council proclamation or ordinance nor, without poling the community for their concerns, interest or desires... |
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Post by botaniseur on Nov 19, 2008 13:32:17 GMT -5
Shouldn't our town leader be expected to display honor and integrity?? I think you were a little heavy on the praise for characteristics of a "leader"....
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Post by richardkelsey on Nov 19, 2008 14:41:33 GMT -5
The Mayor finally did speak. The body language finally made sense. After the public comments, he addressed the issue at hand. And took full blame. Without hesitation. The Mayor made clear that the issue was one of his doing and that the rest of the council had no part in what had happened. He apologized to the council. He apologized to the people from Haley street and took all the blame . He stated flat out, that the buck stops here, meaning with him. He made it clear that causing a problem was never his intent. Issue an amber alert for the Mayor -- NOW! Just kidding. Mayor Wilson has his faults -- I believe I detailed a handful of them in a letter last year. But, one does not get to be Mayor for 23 years without having political skills. Taking blame and responsibility for things that are your fault can definitely be a show of leadership qualities. Doing it when it is politically expedient -- however -- is more a show of political skills. Political skills are also necessary for a leader -- so yes -- as described, those actions would be a show of leadership characteristics. Demonstrating that type of "leadership" when it is not politically expedient -- on the really tough and big issues -- that is the essence of great leadership (IMHO). I will let others decide if that is what they have in Freehold. |
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Post by admin on Nov 19, 2008 16:57:33 GMT -5
I'm going to take a beating for this...but when has that ever stopped me in the past... . Again, I commend the Mayor for taking sole responsibility for the apparently unpopular decision to rename a street here in the Boro...but calling this a "demonstration of both character and integrity that can only be found in a real leader"...wow...kind of a big pat on the back for something that is, in the overall scheme of things, rather minor (in my own opinion of course). . Andrew, When a group of people take the time to show up to express their concerns, it is not such a minor issue to them. To the people opposed as well as the people in support, it means something. It is good that the Mayor recognized that! Imagine if he blew them off? How tasteless would that be?! Maybe in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't mean much to the rest of us. Yes, there are bigger issues. I have certainly shot m mouth off about that. ( Still believe our town should have its own blue ribbon panel on illegal immigration.) My point behind this thread is simple. I saw a good thing and I believe in recognizing that. I believe that is fair and right. It is a philosophy of mine, if we are gong to take the time to complain, we should also take the time to talk about what is good and right. |
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adefonzo
Junior Member
If I can see further than some, it's because I have stood on the shoulders of giants
Posts: 308
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Post by adefonzo on Nov 20, 2008 6:57:16 GMT -5
Brian...I don't question your motives for posting what you posted, in fact I agreed that the Mayor should be commended for taking responsibility on this issue.
What I disagreed with was the amount of praise laid on the man for something that, while yes it's important to the few who showed up at the meeting, is still a minor responsibility in terms of what the Mayor's overall job and responsibilities entail. I still believe that, in the pecking order of Mayoral responsibilities, renaming a street falls fairly low on the list.
In regards to him addressing those who showed up to complain about the street renaming, you say "Imagine if he blew them off? How tasteless would that be?! "
About as tasteless as his actions towards the countless others that he has ignored or disrespected over the years who were concerned about a number of other issues in town or who dared to question him and the town council for some reason or another. Though I am no fan of Mr Baldwin...how many times do the Mayor or Town Council answer his concerns when he voices them at a meeting? And how many times do they give him the old, "Thank you for your comments...any other public comments?"
Credit should be given for this particular incident, but it does not make our Mayor a "great leader" by any means...once again, in my opinion.
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