Yes, Norton N. Bonaparte Jr. is the same person who was once Plainfield's city administrator in the cabinet of Mayor Albert T. McWilliams. When Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs took office in January 2006, he stayed on as director of the Department of Administration, Finance, Health & Social Services until March 2006. He left Plainfield to become the first city manager in Topeka, Kans.
He kept that position for five years. When he left, this is how the editors at the Topeka Capital-Journal described his tenure:
"In good times and bad, Bonaparte maintained his
composure and represented the city and its administration to the public in a
respectful, courteous and professional manner. He has been described as
unflappable, which may be the perfect term for him."
He came to Sanford, Fla. in September 2011. Today, due to reaction to the tragic death of Trayvon Martin, he has been thrust into the glare of national and even international news.
I saw him on a news video today and I personally was impressed by his handling of the questions posed to him. If you listen to him and are not yelling at the television for him to fire the police chief or arrest George Zimmerman, you will, in my opinion, see the man described above. His stated goal is justice for Trayvon Martin, but he will not be pressured into a particular course of action. The term "grace under fire" comes to my mind.
I wish for the Martin family and all of Sanford the most just outcome possible in this horrific tragedy. Having covered Plainfield so long, I know the gut-wrenching fear that parents of color can feel for their young sons as they go out in a world that can inexplicably turn on them at any moment. Sanford residents grew up with a legacy of hurt over the usurpation of a fully-functioning black society by the larger community in 1911 and the taking of a son's life in 2012 must feel like just more of the same.
My thoughts are with the family, the city and the city manager throughout this sorrowful time.
--Bernice
Very thoughtful post, Bernice.
ReplyDeleteRebecca