(Hour 1a)
Derry Town Councilor Mark Osborne
The ongoing Derry budget battle continued last night with a raucous, disrespectful display of bad behavior. Seeking to eliminate unnecessary expenses, the possibility of closing one of the four fire stations, and discussion of layoffs brought out a level of hostility described by town councilor Mark Osborne as “The worst he has ever seen.”
The current level of spending is unsustainable, but the leadership to solve the issue seems to be absent. Instead we see a continuing disgraceful display of petty in-fighting.
Click here for the second segment today that dealt with this topic.
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Fire Galen Stearns?! Are you for real? Fire the four councilors. I was in the room the other night. Our pre-meeting rally was called a “pep rally” we were called a “mob” now you’re referring to us as “inmates?” You certainly don’t have a lot of respect for the voters in Derry. You can stop with the union remarks as well because I’m not a member of a union. Residents are FURIOUS! A lot of conservatives in that room left in fury. They don’t work for the fire or police. NO ONE WANTED THESE CUTS!! UNDERSTAND?
Yup, I’d fire him in a heartbeat. His actions were insubordinate at best.
Once the council has spoken, it is his obligation, his fiduciary duty, to execute its directives whether he agrees with them or not, whether the departments like it or not, whether certain citizens like it or not. If the town administrator doesn’t have to abide by the directives of the council, why have a council?
Similarly, it is your prerogative to fire the councilors with whom you disagree at election time. That’s how it works. If you believe the councilors were insubordinate to the voters, you can vote for someone else.
I have seen your meeting. I stand by my comments, which were directed at those who were absolutely menacing, unruly, thuggish, threatening and intimidating. It was disgraceful behavior next to which a three year old’s temper tantrum would have been a significant improvement. I wonder how many of those who were asked to leave or escorted out by the police would accept that behavior from their kids, their neighbors or anyone else.