http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2007/06/20/opinions/opinions01.txt
It's time to clear the air about the infamous flier
On June 11, I addressed the DeKalb City Council regarding 3rd Ward Alderman Victor Wogen's election. This was the third meeting at which residents spoke in dismay and anger; for the first time Mr. Wogen responded, briefly. This wasn't reported in the Chronicle, and as of June 18 there were no minutes online for the last two meetings.
For weeks, the now-infamous political flier was in the news. Those responsible remain silent. Victor Wogen again claimed he had no idea who put it together. For the first time he stated publicly he was not anti-gay and would have voted the same way as his council predecessor, Steve Kapitan, did in 1998, adding sexual orientation to the human-rights ordinance.
Mr. Wogen's city council response was not enough. It came after pressure, and questions remain unanswered. Not surprisingly, many still distrust him. What have Mr. Wogen and the council done to:
Investigate responsibility and funding sources for the flier?
Publicly distance themselves from those who constructed and supported the flier?
Publicly repudiate dirty politics?
Victor Wogen wants to rebuild trust and put this behind him. He hoped his response on June 11 would help do this. I understand wanting to “move on.” I do, too. This whole issue is tiresome, disappointing and depressing.
However:
Trust is precarious.
With a rotten foundation it disintegrates.Moving on too soon leaves trust festering.
Cynicism and secrecy continue the rot.
They spawn nasty politics,which, like vermin, breeds in the dirt.
Avoidance is not an answer.
Sitting tight is not an answer.
Shrugging is not an answer.
Anonymity is not an answer.
Badmouthing the watchdogs - not an answer.
The answer lies in open examination, admission and assertive investigation. I'm still waiting for the definitive letter, guest column, council statement or radio interview.
In the bigger picture, this issue is not going away, nor should it. The integrity of local government depends on it. Against the ongoing backdrop of lies and corruption at the national level, vigilance locally has never been more vital.
It's time to clear the air about the infamous flier
On June 11, I addressed the DeKalb City Council regarding 3rd Ward Alderman Victor Wogen's election. This was the third meeting at which residents spoke in dismay and anger; for the first time Mr. Wogen responded, briefly. This wasn't reported in the Chronicle, and as of June 18 there were no minutes online for the last two meetings.
For weeks, the now-infamous political flier was in the news. Those responsible remain silent. Victor Wogen again claimed he had no idea who put it together. For the first time he stated publicly he was not anti-gay and would have voted the same way as his council predecessor, Steve Kapitan, did in 1998, adding sexual orientation to the human-rights ordinance.
Mr. Wogen's city council response was not enough. It came after pressure, and questions remain unanswered. Not surprisingly, many still distrust him. What have Mr. Wogen and the council done to:
Investigate responsibility and funding sources for the flier?
Publicly distance themselves from those who constructed and supported the flier?
Publicly repudiate dirty politics?
Victor Wogen wants to rebuild trust and put this behind him. He hoped his response on June 11 would help do this. I understand wanting to “move on.” I do, too. This whole issue is tiresome, disappointing and depressing.
However:
Trust is precarious.
With a rotten foundation it disintegrates.Moving on too soon leaves trust festering.
Cynicism and secrecy continue the rot.
They spawn nasty politics,which, like vermin, breeds in the dirt.
Avoidance is not an answer.
Sitting tight is not an answer.
Shrugging is not an answer.
Anonymity is not an answer.
Badmouthing the watchdogs - not an answer.
The answer lies in open examination, admission and assertive investigation. I'm still waiting for the definitive letter, guest column, council statement or radio interview.
In the bigger picture, this issue is not going away, nor should it. The integrity of local government depends on it. Against the ongoing backdrop of lies and corruption at the national level, vigilance locally has never been more vital.
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