New Rules

No this is not a segment of Bill Maher's closing thoughts but new rules for this thing of ours. This blog was made for the free exchange of ideas, to allow comments free of moderation and to provide local political gossip that regular newspapers wont publish and yes to entertain you.

We will continue to do all of those things and we will do so on a regular basis but we will do so with respect to all those involved in our thing, including their family both on a city and county level.

We fostered a climate were it was ok to denegrate people because we disagree with them, instead of challenging their ideas and offering solutions. For that we apologize, it was a disservice to you our readers and to ourselves the authors of this blog.

Specifically we are refering to the Noble's.  The fact of the matter is that he is the Mayor of this City and deserves our respect and his wife is not off limits because she contributes to the administration and we think that's a good thing but she is to be judged on her ideas and performance not on anything else. Julie Noble has a lot to contribute to the city that can make it better and her role should be like a co- Mayorship in our opinion.

I was at a committee budget meeting many years ago when Julie and Steve put their jobs on the line going against Mayor Sottile's back and straight to the common council to get their jobs full time and to get benifits for their positions. They pretty much stated point of fact this is the work we do, we need benefits or we are leaving and these programs will not continue because noone else can do them effectively. This pissed off  Mayor Sottile a great deal but they stood their ground and got people like Paula Childs to come to the council committee budget meetings and advocate for their positions and took abuse from Alderwoman Jen Ringwood, Mayor Sottile and others that were not happy with them challenging the system but they got their benefits.

Then again last year, my friend Mayor Gallo everyone knew probably had some temperment issues and everyone in the Democratic party wanted him gone but noone was willing to run, when Steve decided to run he was openly laughed at till the very end of the primary. Steve and his wife put up with abuse at the hands of Mayor Gallo and others but Steve Noble stood up and again risked his job and the livelihood of his family to take on a system he felt needed to be changed against long shot odds and he won.

Mayor Steve Noble and us will not agree on a lot politically but he is not just a guy with the right last name that got lucky. Mayor Noble and his wife took determined action and challenged a sitting Mayor and won, that took balls. For that he has our respect and admiration.