[graciegirl]

This morning I read that the mayor of Toronto is bragging about smoking a lot of pot..NOT the big deal compared with the antics of San Diego's mayor and one of the mayoral candidates of the city of New York. We have had the mayor of Washington, D.C. thrown in jail and something shady happened to the mayor of Detroit..can't remember now. Something sticks in my my mind about the Mayor of Chicago too...or was that some of the governors?

Our mayor in Cincinnati rarely came out of his office and hired a body guard and a city manager who appeared to be maybe more than a close friend.

Does anyone remember the mayors of their towns or cities being sort of nice responsible folks...or am I hopelessly naïve?

Moderators? I hope this isn't political. Could we consider this ..um..discussion on the structure of municipalities over time?

Have a good many mayors always been sleazy or is this a new thing?

[billethkid]

they are subjected to all sorts of requests, favors, quid quo pros, lobbyists, special interests, special interest groups, religious groups, racial groups, grumps, big money, etc.

Even the most well intended are caught up in the routine of being "beholding" to somebody or something.

Also every group whether it be mayors, preachers, school teachers, congressmen, et al has it's percentage of sleaze balls.....none are immune. All we can hope for is they are the minority count. And of course they are the ones who are newsworthy....eh?

btk

[zcaveman]

I don't think that a few bad apples should prevent kids from recognizing their dream of a career in politics. The mayor is a good starting position to get them started up through the ranks to Governor or even President.

Z

[Topspinmo]

What kid wouldn't want have do nothing job (manual labor) and be power hungry, two faced lying tax cheat, drunkard, pot smoking, dope taken, womanizing, Under the table gifts or kickbacks Politician ... IMO People don't seek public office to serve the people anymore... There is under the table benefit or they wouldn't waste their time, course the benefit was made up under the table so the public didn't know..

Ok Maybe bit harsh; you heard the term 1 in 1000 I admit there might be good one floating around, you can probably tell he's not loaded (money wise that is). IMO of course...others may disagree...bong, bong, bong..

[Villages PL]

The first time I was aware of there being such a thing as mayor was when I was a little pre-school kid. I hadn't learned how to read yet and the mayor used to read the comics over the radio on Sunday. I thought that was very exciting.

This mayor, I don't remember his name, did not like spending money. And whenever we had a snowstorm in this CT city, he would refuse to plow the streets. He would say, "The good lord put it there, and the good lord will take it away."

[Ohiogirl]

Michael Coleman (in his 3rd term)? 4th? has worked well with business and civic leaders and done really great things for this city (we come back in summer and get to see the progress). We have some great neighborhoods that have come back from really rundown times, and the downtown area is now fantastic. Didn't used to be. All kinds of festivals, music in parks, new parks, etc. that were not here when I was a kid and Columbus referred to as a Cowtown. No more.

We've had a couple of loopy ones in the past, but only a couple that I remember. Mayor Coleman is personable, a great ambassador for the city, and I think works well with Ohio State, the Ohio state government (whether Republican or Democrat led) and the various neighborhood associations.

He appears to really love this city and his job.

[LndLocked]

I always wanted to be the mayor of a city in Ohio and then become the host of a "talk show" that features a non stop stream of assorted dregs of society.

I am sure that has never been done ..... oh, wait .... never mind.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

This morning I read that the mayor of Toronto is bragging about smoking a lot of pot..NOT the big deal compared with the antics of San Diego's mayor and one of the mayoral candidates of the city of New York. We have had the mayor of Washington, D.C. thrown in jail and something shady happened to the mayor of Detroit..can't remember now. Something sticks in my my mind about the Mayor of Chicago too...or was that some of the governors?

Our mayor in Cincinnati rarely came out of his office and hired a body guard and a city manager who appeared to be maybe more than a close friend.

Does anyone remember the mayors of their towns or cities being sort of nice responsible folks...or am I hopelessly naïve?

Moderators? I hope this isn't political. Could we consider this ..um..discussion on the structure of municipalities over time?

Have a good many mayors always been sleazy or is this a new thing?

George Ryan, Governor of IL from 1999 to 2003, was in prison for about 6 1/2 years. He was released from prison about 8 months ago. Rod Blagojevich was Governor of IL from 2003 to 2009. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison last year, and he is currently an inmate at a federal prison in Colorado.

[DaleMN]

And don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys.

[perrjojo]

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely .

How do you feel about this statement?

[JP]

I was the Mayor of Marquette, Michigan two times and loved it. I would do it again right now.

The problem we have now is too many people that would be great mayors don't do it because they are either too busy or too afraid to voice their opinion publicly because honestly when you are a politician half the people love you/half the people hate you no matter what you do and your opinions can hurt your business or family.

Politics is a tough life with few rewards. You have to have a thick skin.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by JP

I was the Mayor of Marquette, Michigan two times and loved it. I would do it again right now.

The problem we have now is too many people that would be great mayors don't do it because they are either too busy or too afraid to voice their opinion publicly because honestly when you are a politician half the people love you/half the people hate you no matter what you do and your opinions can hurt your business or family.

Politics is a tough life with few rewards. You have to have a thick skin.

Here is a very good answer. I don't know you but I would vote for you, JP.

I have frequently said...even in presidential elections, none of these people are as qualified as some folks I know. Fortunately/Unfortunately those people are smart enough to not want to get into running for office.

And...I think some may well regret doing it too. For the last couple of weeks I could see that our POTUS has had a very worried look about him, the stress is visible to me. I would not have the job. Few can handle what it takes.

And it is hard to get it right. When I saw Bush and Obama pictured together recently, both with the same look, I thought a lot of thoughts. Sad ones.

[DaleMN]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely .

How do you feel about this statement?

Depends on whether you walk to school or carry your lunch.

[graciegirl]

boyhowdy.

[JP]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Here is a very good answer. I don't know you but I would vote for you, JP.

I have frequently said...even in presidential elections, none of these people are as qualified as some folks I know. Fortunately/Unfortunately those people are smart enough to not want to get into running for office.

And...I think some may well regret doing it too. For the last couple of weeks I could see that our POTUS has had a very worried look about him, the stress is visible to me. I would not have the job. Few can handle what it takes.

And it is hard to get it right. When I saw Bush and Obama pictured together recently, both with the same look, I thought a lot of thoughts. Sad ones.

Thank you.