Future of council still unpredictable

Submitted
Published: May 8, 2008

The following are my observations of the May 6 election:
Winning by a margin of more than a third, Frank Lucente’s coalition showed us public resentment against the City Council’s majority was wide and deep.
Furthermore, we discovered the resentment was “venomous” and gender-specific; we have to defeat “those two ladies” (Vice Mayor Nancy Dowdy and Councilwoman Lorie Smith).
Do I believe this election will heal this town finally? No.
I believe the losing side will go off and lick their wounds and come back in two years more dedicated to their positions (i.e., Lucente hoodwinked the public and we will get out a more effective message).
I also believe my edgy, hard-hitting public commentaries gave a public face to this private resentment held by so many local citizens.
So many times I have been stopped in the street and told the following:
“I know you. You’re the guy on TV that gives those ladies hell. Keep up the good work. Someone has to keep them on their toes. Sometimes you are too harsh, but I agree with the facts.”
But as we all know, life is fluid and no situation stays the same. New events will dictate our future and how we respond. Maybe this new coalition will go the way of the old coalition.
No one knows.
Signed,
That Damn Yankee
David O’Brien
Waynesboro