September 24, 2007
T-D’s M.P. Williams’ Opinion About Mayor Wilder
We’ve obviously been following the seemingly-forever-continuing coverage between the Mayor’s Office and the RCPS School Board for some time now (via our “education” category) and have made observations of our own. I think the Times-Dispatch actually nailed Mayor Wilder’s position this time.
Look, no one is saying the school administration, the School Board and the City Council are blameless in this sorry state of affairs. But Wilder, who has an almost pathological need to bully, has consistently eschewed collaboration in favor of over-the-top confrontation. It’s a mystifying approach to governance, given the considerable charms at his disposal.
I, personally, think the Mayor’s been “power tripping” and I just don’t know why. It’s only costing us tax payers unnecessary dollars and causing chaos and disruption for all parties involved. The fact that we, Richmond citizens, had to pay 150+ employees wages just to box up the School Board files in preparation for this ridiculous move makes me sick.
What’s really sad is that I don’t believe this is the type of social dynamic we should be displaying, nay, teaching, to our children.
John Sarvay offers additional info on his Buttermilk & Molasses blog. I think not only is the city losing, the students are losing too.
I guess I am more jaded on Richmond politics, and I am not sayng that as a Wilder apologist.
I have been ‘bothered and bewildered’ for long before Wilder came back to City politics.
Why?
Because the Convention Center, Canal Walk, Arts Center, Ballprk proposals, and other projects have always come before schools and other citizen services.
This eviction thing is just another distraction from the real priorities of the City.
All the City leadership, both private and public, share blame with Wilder.
Come on! None of this would have happened if it were not for Wilder. I guess to some extent, all city leadership shames some blame. But MOST of the blame goes to Wilder.
I voted for him, too. I regret it. I thought he would restore our city, but now he is destroying our city.
Yes, but some of it needed to happen.
I voted for Wilder to bring the Arts Center deal to heel and restore City priorities. I regret that he has not done that and has in fact allowed a restored Arts Center deal to come forward to the detriment of other priorities.
But that is different from blaming him for the current ‘crisis’.
I respectfully, but completely, disagree with you. Wilder IS the cause of this crisis. None of what has gone on with the eviction of the school board needed to happen at all.
I maintain that I voted for Wilder for a change in the status quo. Some of these political struggles are necessary.
What is distressing to me is how some things have not changed: evidently opera houses are still more of a priority than ADA access for schools.
To the extent that this current struggle distracts from that shameful fact is regretfull.
There is hope though- I point to Art Burton and RCPTA’s BUILD SCHOOLS NOW platform, which the Richmond Crusade for Voters has endorsed.
Some political struggles are to be expected. But the attempt at a covert eviction by Wilder was not necessary.