To The Editor of The First Capitol News
“All this turmoil, this downright meanness is distressing to me,” he said. (Kevin Kast article in Sunday 2/27/05 in another publication. It’s a good thing to have a balance of power, but the balance of power should not limit the Mayor’s ability to act in the best interest of the community. I fear the Council members can be myopic. They think in terms of what is in the best interest of their ward instead of the community as a whole. I favor a stronger Mayor rather than a stronger City Council.”
This is a direct quote by Mr. Kevin Kast. I very much disagree with Kevin’s way of thinking. The Mayor does have the power right now and the ability to act in the best interest of the community. She just chooses not to. Let’s look at her two years so far of her second term.
* Mayor, last Council & City Administrator cheated the taxpayers out of a large sum of money by the unethical way the sale of the old police station was handled and by giving take home cars to police who choose not to live in our City and 200 hours of comp time for her “Top Cop” to work on union business.
* The Mayor tried to get the Veterans Memorial in McNair Park over objections of the residents and park board. Her tactics failed.
* Tried to get taxpayers money for the ShowMe Aquatic Center.
* The issuance of fraudulent Executive orders which she was not authorized to issue.
* Secret meetings she and her husband had with Major Lowery in her attempts to get him to withdraw his name from consideration as police chief.
* Remember her lawsuit against a city board member. Also the $104 million lawsuit against the city by her “Top Cop.”
* Remember her transferring large sums of money from one department to another without Council approval.
* Remember the meeting of St. Chuck watch at the police station with her, police officers, Mr. Hughes and Mr. Jamboretz.
* Let’s get recent and talk about Mayor Patti’s signing of a contract with Express Scripts. If this is illegal the Council should start the necessary proceedings.
* A cool $500,000 for parties for the opening of the Convention Center. Patti and Steve Powell are at it again as well as Ken Kielty, Roger Pryor and the County Sports Authority who are also spending our money (taxpayers) for this tribute to Steve and Patti parties.
Mr. Kast, I could go on and on about the Mayor of this town and debate you forever about her needing more power and her ability to act in the best interest of our community. You raise a good question. Do we really need a full time Mayor? The Charter Amendment for a full time Mayor only passed by 302 votes. Look at what is going on now. Let’s be cautious. Maybe we need to vote gain before 2007 to see if we really want a full time Mayor. Apparently you are confused as to the real reason for what you call TURMOIL & MEANNESS in our City government.
As to our City Council, I would suggest at least seven of them have a great deal of understanding and foresight when it comes to doing what is best for the City contrary to your fear of them to be myopic.
Mr. Kast, after reading the article about your life and professional career, I believe you to be at the top of our profession and I applaud you. After reading the resume of Mr. Robert Lowery, Jr. and meeting him and his wife two times I believe him to be right at the top of his profession. Eight Council members voted for him, the City Administrator wanted him, he received the highest score of all by the City Board charged with saying yea or nea about him for the job of police chief. And the Mayor says he doesn’t fit.
Yes, Mr. Kast, she does need more power but not as Mayor of this town. Maybe you could get her a job in the Health Care Industry as a Jr. Executive and see how private corporations react when you sign contracts you are not supposed to, or keep a well qualified individual from employment because he’s more intelligent than you. Yes, she needs more Power! I suggest she apply at Express Scripts. She apparently already knows someone working there and you, Mr. Kast, could give her a good foot in the door with some of your connections since you think so highly of her.
Respectfully
Bob Bredensteiner
