Where is the accountability of the Dover City Council members and the mayor? Recently, they have made many decisions that are very questionable. These are the items I have concerns about:
- In a recent article documenting Mr. David Hugg’s complaint/possible lawsuit against the city, the mayor and Councilmembers David Anderson and Dr. Julia Pillsbury gave brief statements. I was taught, when any individual files a complaint/lawsuit against you, you never make a statement to the news media. You should leave any legal statements to the legal department, so you do not negatively affect the complaint/lawsuit against you. Could these statements affect the city negatively in a court proceeding?
- The ordinance from Councilmember Anderson about median safety is very questionable. Will it improve safety, and is the ordinance a violation of an individual’s civil rights in its current form? Let’s go on the premise that this poorly written ordinance is foolishly passed and is overturned by multiple lawsuits. Those who pass/support the ordinance should be willing to do the following if this ordinance negatively affects the city in the long run: a.) Pay back the citizens for all the legal fees that the city puts out defending the ordinance; b.) Resign from office for negatively affecting the city by doing harm; and c.) Apologize to the taxpayers/citizens for wasting the city’s limited revenue.
- The Downtown Dover Partnership is the next questionable issue. Who is going to take responsibility if this endeavor fails in the long run?
The mayor and council members can make great speeches, but they must be willing to take responsibility if their actions fail and negatively affect the city and the citizens of Dover. It is not asking too much for the mayor and council to be held accountable for their individual and joint actions. After all, citizens are held accountable to follow all the city ordinances, pay city taxes and pay our city of Dover monthly bills.
This is submitted by a very concerned citizen.
William G. Faust Jr.
Dover
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
