Wit and wisdom or puerile persiflage?
Councilman William Reid, known for his commentary on camera at public meetings, outdid himself Monday.
Reid's four-year term ends on Dec. 31 and he is not running for re-election. He is serving his second year as chairman of the whole, meaning he has the microphone for a large part of the meeting. Maybe it is the prospect of losing the limelight that is leading to the loopiness, but Reid went beyond his previous barnyard allusions and spelled out a four-letter word for excrement Monday. When Council President Bridget Rivers said a point of order had been called, Reid asked, "What's a point of order?"
Returning to the agenda, he said, "This is crazy. I never worked in a place like this."
Earlier, in a discussion of Urban Enterprise Zone funding for improvements on East Second Street, Reid said of Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, "I don't care whether the money is there or not, all he has to do is say, 'Let's do it.' "
He also urged Mapp to "show this is a great America that we live in," adding "all you have to do is say let's get it done."
By way of criticism, he said, "There are a lot of ways not to do something."
Though goading the mayor to flout fiscal rules, he also found fault with the mayor being present, saying it was really a council meeting and the mayor and administrator should be there only by invitation.
"It would make it a little more comfortable for the council," Reid said, even though the City Charter states, "The mayor may attend meetings of council and may take part in discussions of council but shall have no vote."
All in all, it was quite a performance, but maybe not the best example of statesmanship for the young people in the audience. Reid has been counting down the months till he is gone - just three to go.
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The Mayor may attend but not take over or change the physical environment of the meeting place, but our mayor said he has been given a mandate to rule.The king's court will accept whatever he does.Mr. Reid is saying what should be said, if people don't like it, Oh Well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving Jerry's point of view. We all know Plainfield is Jerry's f***ing town.
DeleteOver the years there has been enough to fill a little red book, it could be called "Sayings of Chairman Bill".
ReplyDeleteI have been counting down the months until Reed would leave for several years. I hope his replacement is much better and willing to work for Plainfield. We have too many members on this council who seem to open their mouths before they have started their brain. One female member come to mind. Good luck to him. I hope this is not a sign of serious illness.
ReplyDeleteI wonder, seriously, if Reid is mentally OK. He has seemed to be slipping in recent years. Hopefully, this is Bill carrying out Jerry's wishes to be annoying, and not anything seriously affecting Bill's health.
ReplyDeleteI used to enjoy Bill on the council. He had some interesting comments. But it has been years since that has happened.
I cannot resist - My thoughts about Reid's comments -
ReplyDelete"What's a point of order?" - It means shut up which is why you have no clue what it is
He also urged Mapp to "show this is a great America that we live in," adding "all you have to do is say let's get it done." - Bill, we are talking about Plainfield - FOCUS. And if you have been listening to Mapp (see point of order) you would know that is what he has been saying all along
"There are a lot of ways not to do something."
What does this even mean?
"It would make it a little more comfortable for the council," Sorry, Bill. We the taxpayers of Plainfield are sorry that you cannot make a decision in front of the mayor. Our sole concern is to make sure you are comfortable.
"I don't care whether the money is there or not, all he has to do is say, 'Let's do it.' " - Unless it means giving the mayor $9 more a year to run this city at full capacity
"This is crazy. I never worked in a place like this." - Would you even know if you did?