Annapolis Capital Punishment

...but the local newspaper completely missed that in today's article--and it missed the fact that the Cordle bill is merely window dressing. It looks as if Arnett, Israel, Stankivic and Shropshire are voting in favor of the real bill that will make a real city manager. Cordle's window-dressing bill to rename the city administrator as a city manager is likely to be supported by Hoyle, Finlayson and Mayor Moyer. That's 4 to 4. What about Paone? That seems to be the big IF and so far as I can tell, Paone ain't saying. Perhaps he is relishing his role as kingmaker. (See the previous post below for more legislative details)

Here is how it breaks down: The four in favor of the real city manager bill include three Democrats and an Independent. Two plan to run for re-election, one is running for mayor and one is likely to not run. As for the four in favor of the window-dressing, two are Republicans (one of which was a Democrat until his election campaign) and the other three are Democratic stalwarts. Cordle says he is running for mayor, Hoyle and Finlayson may be running. Paone? Probably planning to run for re-election.

But the big IF is how will Paone vote on this bill? What are his motivations? What will sway his decision? Should not all our efforts to pass this legislation and to provide testimony be geared toward Alderman Paone?
Paone, a recently retired prosecutor, is likely to get opposing earfuls from both Cordle and Israel. Cordle, an investigator with the state's attorney and Paone worked together, and Israel is a former assistant attorney general. Three men of the law, one on one side, one on the other and one in the middle.

It is interesting how Shropshire wants to be mayor and wants a city manager. It is equally interesting how mayoral candidate Trudy McFall has also come to support the city manager issue--and it could be argued that McFall has the most managerial experience of any of the candidates, declared or presumed. Republican Chris Fox supports a city manager form of government. Democrat Zina Pierre did not address it on her web-site, at least when her web-site was up (do a web search for Zina Pierre and see if you can find anything out about this...she had a site, but now it's down again...and then up again but with only a "splash" page...she has more old and new and down web-sites but no real one to determine if she is a candidate or not)

So, the skinny is Paone. Please--however you feel, come to the council hearing Monday night and testify. That is good government when we the people come to City Hall. When you testify, turn and face and speak to Alderman Paone. Convince him.

However, if you support the Arnett-Israel bill as I do, don't be surprised if the mayor browbeats you, argues, tries to intimidate or otherwise make you feel like an idiot for actually speaking your mind. She needs to get the last word. That's just Ellen. Put up with it for another year.

See what the local paper has to say at City Manager .

MEANWHILE----please vote in our poll to the right....

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