There is a serious void of strong and effective leadership down at City Hall with the current incumbent elected officials. We don’t have leadership that looks to the future and is not stuck in the past, leadership that’s inclusive, leadership that’s on the same page, leadership that has a cohesive game plan for our city with a winning strategy for all of our citizens, just a lot of bickering and infighting among each other.
One disturbing and recent example of our public officials acting out came glaring across my desk from a recent piece in The Commercial Dispatch about an alleged confrontation between Councilman Joseph Mickens and Supervisor Leroy Brooks, whereby the councilman stated he was assaulted by Mr. Brooks at the Trotter, which wasn’t true. The sheriff, Eddie Hawkins and Trip Hairston all said that they were there and this did not happen. So why is Mr. Mickens resorting to such foolishness? I give you one word: desperation. He now is in fear of losing that city paycheck and all those free benefits he has been getting for years for getting very little done for the city of Columbus!
Then we have the incident of another recent incident involving retiring city department head, Kenny Wiegel, of 30 years who was subjected to a vicious tirade by Vice-Mayor Joseph Mickens (the part-time preacher allegedly with two small churches) who relishes quoting scriptures to drive home a point and get attention. I will say this to Mr. Mickens and anybody else down there handling the people’s business: do unto others as you would have them do unto you before you find out you are being voted out as well and shown the door!
I’m certain that overinflated egos and political posturing are now driving common-sense business decisions, and we are stuck with the bills of some overzealous and shameless politicians who are not capable of governing!
We can’t keep putting these same folks in these positions at City Hall and then expect different results. At the end of the day, we need experienced business leadership that knows how to get things done.
As of Tuesday’s council meeting, they were still up to their dirty tricks and political games again with the rejection of the application for a $250k clean energy grant backed by Susan Wilder and Darren Leach that had a no-match stipulation, rejecting it on a 4-2 vote. Mayoral candidate Darren Leach was in the audience but refused to speak up and voice his opinion, so how can this man lead the city of Columbus when he refused to even speak up for himself but commented to reporters afterward?
Larry Watson
Columbus
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
