IS HEALY SOWING THE SEEDS OF HIS OWN POLITICAL DESTRUCTION
VIDEOS
HEALY TALKS ABOUT HIS "PREROGATIVES AS MAYOR"
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CITIZEN REQUEST FOR INCLUSION
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WILL THE EXCLUSION CONTINUE?
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As the SCPR has frequently written: Canton mayor William J. Healy, II has an ego as large as the ill-fated ship: the Titanic.
And such is not unusual for politicians.
However, some of them get "so big for their britches" that their self-importance end up doing them in.
It is a little over a year and one half (May, 2015) before Healy has to face Canton's voters for a third time.
The question for the mayor is whether or not he will prove to be "his own worst enemy" (the ego factor) in his quest to seek a third term.
The Report has learned that there is activity underway to find a candidate to take the mayor on come 2015. Those who want the mayor replaced understand that a Bill Smuckler will not do. The candidate will have to be of the younger set and a person who is not open to the charge of being part of Canton government over the last 20 years or so which has seen the dramatic decline of the Hall of Fame city.
Moreover, his Democratic challenger (forget the Republicans putting up a viable candidate in November's general election) will have to have some personality.
While Healy is not Dale Carnegie, he is more accomplished - personality wise - than a number of the names being bandied about as possible opponents.
We have now come full circle to Healy's arrogance as being a critical factor (given that the criteria set forth above in finding a Democratic opponent), perhaps, in sinking him just as the Titantic was sent to the bottom of the Atlantic at the unwise hand of those navigating the behemoth ship.
While the mayor may be politically slick, such does not equate into being politically wise.
The SCPR picked up on the mayor's comments at this past Monday's Canton City Council meeting which might offer a clue as to whether or not the mayor is getting a handle on his ego.
The occasion was Group 175 spokesperson Bruce Nordman of Vassar Park appearing once again at the Public Speaks portion of Monday's City Council meeting.
Nordman's request was simple. To paraphrase: "Mister Mayor, please include us (Group 175/Vassar Park residents) in any meetings regarding solving of crime problems in our neighborhood."
The mayor's response?
In essence, (again a paraphrase) "it is a prerogative of the mayor to meet with whomever, wherever and for whatever reason "without including anyone from the public or the council."
As he nearly always does, the mayor tried - post council meeting - to convince his questioner (on whatever issue) that he is on top of the matter and will get it resolved BUT - his way.
Nordman spoke with Healy after Monday's meeting and so the SCPR was interested to find out from him whether or not the mayor had conceded to him, that is to say Group 175 and Vassar Park residents, that he would no longer out on his own conducting meetings which touch on their interests but exclude them and their councilperson (Frank Morris, Ward 9).
Answer: "no such luck."
All the mayor would commit to was that he would include Cantonians/council members or whomever, where he deemed it appropriate to include them.
The "where he deemed it appropriate language" means that the mayor is sticking to exercising his prerogatives of office.
Healy has been doing so for nearly six years now and where has it gotten Canton?
Answer: into a steeper and steeper decline.
While he may resemble William Jefferson Clinton for those who see the former president as "Slick Willie," Healy clearly does not have the communication skills of Clinton.
And that may be his undoing come the next election.
All that Healy's seeming arrogance has gained him is a growing list of those who want to put him on the political sidelines.
Nobody thought the biggest and baddest ship of its time would sink. However, the "undetected," "unseen" iceberg made believers of everybody.
It is looking more and more to the SCPR that Healy's ignoring of "the little people" may prove to be his political iceberg.
After all, one must maintain the prerogatives of office, no?
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