A growing rift between Mayor Art Ward and city councilors threatens to tear apart the fragile peace that has held the city’s government together.
The open skirmish began late Wednesday afternoon when city Councilor Kevin McCauley, the senior member of the six-person council, met with Ward in his office to tell the mayor councilors did not want to vote on a proposed union contract the following day.
Ward said McCauley told him, “‘I’m not here to piss you off. I’m just the messenger.’”
Rather than postpone the vote, however, Ward opted to move ahead.
At Thursday’s special session, where a large crowd of union members and officials had gathered, the council voted 5-1 to delay the vote until next week, when every councilor could be there and so everyone would have time to absorb contract details before taking a stance on the pact.
Ward was the sole critic of the move. “It’s not rocket science,” the mayor told colleagues.
McCauley said Friday he is “baffled that a simple procedural matter turned into a circus.” Click here for the story.
*****
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
34 comments:
There has been no peace between the Mayor and the Council since before Ward was elected, it's just that now it has been exposed. What it shows is a total lack of leadership from Ward. A true leader would work with the council if not on the issues themselves then to at least keep the peace. This infighting helps no one, neither the politicians nor the citizens.
3:26- you are exactly right but Ward has been trying to keep them happy for over 2 years while they keep pushing his buttons so they can make him look like someone who is lacking leadership- it's time to send McCauley and his gang of thugs walking
I don't get it...I thought Ward and McCauley were friends...they are on Facebook.
3:26
The last mayor was outnumbered 5-2, but still managed to maintain some decorum, and get some things done.
Ironically, Kevin was a recalcitrant councilman then allso.
5:48 p.m. Thanks so much for the laugh! I think many are "friends" just so they can have some dirt on their "friends". P.S. Will you be my facebook friend?
"Trying to keep them happy" by giving them their desired committee appointments is not leadership. That's just handing out goodies. A true leader would show respect for them as elected officials in their own right. He has never done that.
Hey i remember Storz calling a meeting and ward organized a boycott. so lets file a FOI complaint against ward as well
3:26 PM: What it actually shows is a total lack of commitment to the City of Bristol by several city council members. They and their mentor are playing games instead of working as a team for the good of our town. You are correct about one thing though, the infighting helps no one.
Maybe Stortz wasn't so bad after all!
Only these Republican jerks on here would be happy with disagreements. They like to blow things up(unless of course) it's about them.
10:55: Problem was, he wasn't so good either.
1:15
Certainly better than what we have (Ward), or had (Couture).
Sounds like Washington D. C. has come to Bristol
7:00 PM, I guess you're entitled to your opinion, no matter how wrong it is!
We don't need these games! We're still in one of the worst recessions in history and we need a city council that will pull together for the good of Bristol, not this sorry bunch of puppets who pull stupid stunts for their master's enjoyment. How pathetic!
It's not their fault 7:57, they're just following the script!
7:26
The same applies to you!
7:03
I agree!
Shows what happens when a few power hungry, ego-maniac, paranoid democrats get contol.
Excuse me, but why do you keep pulling Ellen into this?
Facts:
*contract negotiated August 3
*contract held by Mayor for 3 weeks
*not all terms given to council in advance
* not all council members were able to attend the hastily called special meeting
*the union shared the contents with their members - so what could be leaked????
A reasonable person needs time to digest the documnet and ask intelligent questions. Ramming a vote through shows poor leadership. Asking for more time has nothing to do with puppets, mentors,games. It has all to do with make an informed decision which is best for the taxpayers.
I can't beleive I still read of sightings of the Ellen ghost in the council chambers. It cracks me up how paranoid some of you still are.
1:47PM...Hahahahaha...You Have Got To Be Kidding!!! Did Ellen Write For You...Just Because We Don't See Her...We Know She Is Pulling Those Puppet Strings More Than Ever and It's Not Gonna STOP Until She Gets Out ALL Her REVENGE...Which Won't Happen In My Lifetime(& I'm Young)! And By The Way Art Ward Was On Vacation For 2 Weeks Out of Those 3 Weeks...Of Which You Failed To Mention. Ellen , Bruce Suchinski(To Mention A Few), Didn't Show Up @ This Meeting BECAUSE They Knew What Was Going To Be Played Out...At Least Most of It! "Out of Site Out of Mind", Does Not Apply To Ellen & Her Puppets...Just Like A Puppeteer...Behind The Scenes, HAVING TOTAL CONTROL Over The Puppet and Pulling Those Strings...Just As SHE Wants!!!
1:47
Art certainly demonstrates signs of paranoia.
1:47 PM: No one on this site mentioned Ellen. You obviously recognized her M.O. Now that really cracks me up!
"I can't beleive I still read of sightings of the Ellen ghost in the council chambers. It cracks me up how paranoid some of you still are."
______________________________
LMFAO!!!! Sweetie, if you don't believe that Ellen was behind McCauley's sudden burst of testosterone, you're not paranoid...you're just plain ole CRAZY!!!
3:09PM...That Is Farthest From The TRUTH...Ellen & Co. Are Paranoid...Otherwise, They Wouldn't Have To Play ALL These GAMES...The Majority of The Citizen's of Bristol Are On To Her & Her Puppets...!!!
Do Union members usually show up at City Council meetings in large numbers, especially Petosa?
Or were they given a heads Up?
If so, by whom?
OK - I did write in about the ghost of Ellen, but after reading all the subsequent posts: 2:59; 3:09; 3:43; 3:53; 3:57 - not only do I know think you are paranoid but also you are all misogynists! LMAO
Signed,
Female republican (maybe younger than 2:59?)
5:17
We all know that Ward is a misogynist!
Female republican:
If you seriously believe that Ellen (the real, full-blooded one) isn't behind McCauley's latest "adventure," you are seriously misguided, mistaken and misinformed. You must be younger than 2:59 becuase it's obvious you still believe in fairy tales! LMAO!
6:41
You know, I must still beleive in fairy tales since I would like to see an open govenment by the people, for the people! I would like to see ethics in business and government. I would like to see politicians really concerned about the tax payers they represent versus how they will get re-elected and "what is in it for them".
I would like to see respect and professionalism and kindness!
Hope that isn't too much to ask for.
11:18 AM: It isn't. That's why the stunts being pulled by Mr. McCauley and a handful of other council members is so outrageous. They're not working for the people. They've got their own agenda.
7:33
Some more so than others, but Ward is right up there with the biggest agenda!
We are and will pay for it!
4:26 PM: Ward's agenda seems to be all about moving Bristol forward. It's the "other's" agenda that's all about games.
We are and will pay for it. They need to stop.
8:10
Wards agenda is all about moving Ward forward.
4:44pm - Ward got the word out through petosa. Ward thinks he is so smooth, however we all know the union hack and low life he really is. Moving bristol forward is not his agenda, its moving Ward forward!
Enough of Ward's games. Time for him to give up his old, cheating
A%# and go away.
Post a Comment