Council majority playing the blame game

By Ryan Falls

Published: April 19, 2008

After reading the headline in The News Virginian on April 6, “Rift in city council widens,” I felt like Mayor Tom Reynolds, Vice Mayor Nancy Dowdy and Councilwoman Lorie Smith were perched atop their own bandwagon.
Those three specifically targeted Frank Lucente as being the reason for “all of the bad blood” on the council these days. That’s what kids do when they don’t get their way. They point their finger and blame someone else. These three do not believe that they should have to explain themselves to anyone, let alone another council member who is “out of the loop.”
They don’t seem to realize that Mr. Lucente is there for the same reasons that they should be. They are bothered because he does not always agree with the way they want to spend the taxpayers’ money. If “found” money, as well as a few other issues, had been discussed among all council members rather than just between those three, there would not be discord. It’s when decisions are made and discussions are held outside the presence of all council members that you create that atmosphere.
If you read the article, you would have noticed that very little was said about Tim Williams. Think about why. They would be wasting their breath. Tim doesn’t have any opposition for his council seat. Frank Lucente does, so they used this article to bash Frank and promote their candidate.
This has been a spending council with little thought given to the long-term effect. Mayor Reynolds, Ms. Dowdy and Ms. Smith have what is called a champagne taste on a beer budget. They also believe they are always right and they expect Frank and Tim to go along with them. I hope that Mr. Lucente will continue his fiscal oversight even if the others don’t like it.
DOROTHY FITZGERALD
Waynesboro