DISCUSSION: IS "KEVIN MONROE" STILL CANTON'S PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR?

From the good book:

And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. 1 Samuel 18:6-9

Why would the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report/SCPR) "uncharacteristically" open with a biblical quote today?

Because The Report believes that this passage of holy writ zeros in on Canton Mayor Healy's major fault. He sees himself as a "Saul-type."

Call it Divine Providence or whatever you wish, but this past Sunday yours truly was at a church service in which the sermon topic was about leaders who are into "obsessive control" and the sermon went on to describe the concomitant havoc that such leaders visit on all in their path.

The Report asks in the title to this blog: Is Canton public works director Kevin Monroe still a member of the Healy administration?

Why is The Report asking this question?

Because of two somewhat divergent responses from Mayor Healy and his public works director Kevin Monroe in The Rep's story: Colonel Sanders fixing Canton's roads? It could happen. It is not good to disagree with Mayor Healy.

First the Healy perspective:

Don’t count on Mayor William J. Healy II among those interested in Kentucky-fried potholes.

“We are facing some challenging times, but we’re not quite that desperate,” Healy said Tuesday. “City employees are working hard to patch potholes as we speak, and we are grateful for all the work they do."

Second, Public Works Director Monroe's perspective:

“I have no problem with that. If there’s a way you can save taxpayers money, and I’m sure that would do it; and why not?” Monroe said. “If there’s somebody willing to do it, by all means we should be looking at it.”

Apparently, Monroe remembered has an "obsessively-controlling mayor" he's working for and may have made a job-saving comment by adding a comment to the effect it was Mayor Healy's decision as to whether or not Canton applies for the Colonel Sanders offer.

You can be sure that the Mayor will either personally or through others dress Monroe down for not clearing his differing thought from the Mayor on the KFC offer before talking with the media.

Moreover, The Report, knowing Healy as yours truly does, believes Monroe is now on the Healy "watch-list."

Healy cannot act against Monroe now because the community, the media (local and national) and fair minded people everywhere would rise up in indignation. The better test will be when public attention is diverted.

King Saul was an insecure man (as The Report surmises Healy is) who could not handle it when others were recognized for their superior qualities. The Report thinks that's why Bernabei got bounced and why Nesbitt is on his way out; maybe even the finance director earlier in his administration. The longer Healy is mayor, the more exitees we will see.

For those of us who have the temerity to criticize the Mayor, punishment is meted out by his refusal to answer questions about campaign finance matters, the future of the Stark County Mayors Association, et cetera.

On matter of Canton needing help, Monroe has the better idea for Canton than does Healy. Obviously, there is an important personality difference between Healy and Monroe. Healy is too proud to ask for help; Monroe just wants to do public service.

What's that other biblical expression?

"Pride goeth before ... [a] haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)

Hum?