I snapped this picture from the YouTube video of Lisa Fusco's announcement, using some of the semi-magical aspects of the "Preview" program in my computer. It's the poster behind her when she was making her announcement speech that bugs me. The graphics and design of the poster are stylish, and they look expensive and professional. Her committee had only been operating for two weeks.
One of the mayor's most reliable supporters and deep-pocketed backers, Lisa Baskin, was effusively thanked for her support. "Trailergate" was launched. All of the mayor's "yes" people were there from the City Council. The candidate was an owner of the airport, corporately linked to the Three County Redevelopment Corporation; the planning department had let her participate and/or vote on conscom issues sponsored by her corporations. My gut feeling was that it was all too professional, and much of the impetus for this candidacy came from city hall and principals in Three County Redevelopment. They wanted a team player.
But it fits into the essence of politics in this town, where the city council is becoming more of an affinity group of like-minded people who support the mayor and focus on city-wide issues. The idea that the city councilor is there to focus on ward issues, the little and not-so-little problems that bedevil us day to day, is on the wane. Money seems more important in campaigns. When I was on the council I had the pleasure of sitting next to the dean of Ward Three councilors, the late Leonard Budgar. Leonard sat there through the long hours of speeches and citations every night, never getting aggravated, always magisterial. Many nights he wasn't really awake, yet he wasn't asleep either. His eyes might be closed, but if something came up that affected his ward, you had only to slightly raise your voice and say "Ward Three" and he would come to attention, turning to me or whoever was talking, asking us to recapitulate the question. He represented his people well.
P.S. This blogger is now in new quarters, more fitting to apartment life, and oddly enough, more conducive to working on one project at a time, and dealing ruthlessly with old drafts and reference materials. With 12 square feet to operate in, you have to be ruthless. Check Lu's blog for pictures
The Mayor and her "crew" are doing their best to help Ward 3 forget about Ms. Fusco. What a joke she was and as for her campaign manager, Mr. Owen, well, only time will tell. One can only hope that Ward 3 will question Mr. Owen's judge of character with his proud endorsement of Ms. Fusco.
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