The City Council meeting tonight was full of fireworks even before Mayor Bryce pushed his pet fireworks show project to the public. The meeting was primarily to nominate and select a new Mayor Pro-Tempore. It was anything but a traditional formality.
Mayor Bryce nominated Scott Lindsey for the Pro-Tem position and asked for a second. No second was forthcoming. The room was silent. Scott Lindsey read a prepared "statement of outrage" about the lack of a second in the room. It was a hypocritical/cynical attempt by the mayor to push his choice through. Scott looked like a chump reading this prepared statement.
Councilperson Eric Smith would have none of this by the "so called mayor". He called out Mayor Bryce citing a personal phone call regarding the Pro-Tem position. He intimated that it was about the position but would not disclose the subject of the call. The comments between the Mayor, Scott Lindsey and Eric Smith were heated and politically driven. It was almost as good as Dallas City Council shouting matches between Al Lipscomb and Laura Miller "in the day". At the end, the Mayor dropped the subject, no one was nominated again and the entire pro-tempore process has been derailed until the next meeting.
Analysis:
- The mayor was KO'd in the second round by a set of council members that would not be cowed. Hope he gets the notice!
The mayor was shown to "have no clothes" in this arena. His leadership was suspect as he watched his crafted performance to achieve his goals of having his people in the power seats of the Council crumble as the Council sat in silence waiting for someone to second the nomination. That silence was deafening for all in chambers. - Mr. Smith is and will be the "kingmaker" for the next several months as both the pro and anti Mayor groups woo him for swing votes. Hopefully Mr. Smith can weather the BS and be his own person-representing the people in HIS place.
Bottom Line:
A big split has opened up between the pro Mayor faction and the anti City Manager faction. This is the opening two rounds. I'm hoping Pfiefer has his resume ready
Score: Anti City Manager folks: 2 Mayor: Nil
33 comments:
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The mayor said that it is dividing the city. But he chose to divide when he was the main financial supporter for the other 3 people (Little, Brown & Bell) who were running for council.
The other side had no financial backing from the mayor or another councilmen. A large part of their backing came from regular citizens
My BS-O-Meter shot up to the max when I heard the "impassioned plea" from the Mayor and Scott Lindsey's fake indignation (he read from a prepared statement).
When will these folks get it that the voters turned Dawn Little away for being fake and they can do the same (recall) to the Mayor and Council?
What will it take? Act of God?
Councilman Smith's sour grapes behavior last night confirmed the mayor's wisdom in not choosing him for mayor pro tem.
As the mayor explained, the sole purpose for mayor pro tem is to sit in for the mayor in case of the mayor's absence. To call the mayor's choice a power play is ridiculous.
CASEY, BEN, & ERIC NEED TO GROW UP AND START FOCUSING ON THE INTERESTS OF RED OAK. THE ELECTION IS OVER!
Steve you should put the last 3 post from the election on here.
The real story is that Ken(City Manager)is the one dividing the city more than anyone else. The last web pole said that 78% of the people wanted him gone. That is the main problem in this city. Once he is gone this city can move on to bigger and better things.
That’s what they plan to do is start focusing on what the interest of the citizens of Red Oak.
Not what the ex-mayor (Todd Little) and the current mayor wants. The citizens are the ones who vote council in to office. Because they believe that the councilman or councilmen will support the interest of the people of Red Oak. Just remember this when you go to crying about your person not getting in. The city is better for it!!!!!!!
I thought it was a little disingenuous for the mayor to cry foul and power play when it was obvious he tried to orchestrate the entire evening via a phone call to Eric Smith (made public by Mr. Smith) and Scott Lindsay's "litany of feigned outrage".
Kabuki theatre of the absurd IMHO!
Everyone of these guys needs to take a chill pill, open up a cold one, call each other what they really think of each other, put it on the table and stop the childish stuff. It's fun for we bloggers but not funny since it affects families, jobs, and the growth of the City. All are at fault and all apparently have claim!
Where was Andy Bell? I'm surprised he didn't second the proposal.
Well, if any of you think that Mayor Bryce would offer the pro-tem nomination to Eric, you're smoking crack; Eric is the -- chime in Steve at any time -- swing vote on whether or not Ken Pfeifer will pack his bags.
And I think, above all, that's what Mayor Bryce has thought and was thinking.
Will there be any races up next year? I know the three-year terms stagger, but not sure when Scott/Mayor Bryce/Smith's re-election bids come up.
Eric and Scott are term-limited right?
Talk about two wide-open seats. That'll make things really interesting.
- Joey
Believe me the animosity between all on both sides is not over. That's the unfortunate truth.
All of these guys need to go to a bar or my arbor by the pool, crack open a cold one, call each other what they really think and get on with the business of the city. At least it will be on the table and each would know where the other stands. There's a lot of crap on both sides at this juncture
The conversation between the Councilman and the Mayor is about Race. Eric is stating that according to RO tradition that the Pro-tem position goes to Place 1. According to Judy Grant, in the last 11 years the position has bounced around. According to previous councilman, the position has always bounced around. Eric is stating the he was not given the position due to his race.
anonymous said."Eric is stating the he was not given the position due to his race"
So...Bryce is a racist too by default and omission(Eric would not divulge that information) since he did not nominate Eric?
I just thought he was politically naive after watching last night's theatrics.
More's the pity. Where did Todd Little find the good doctor anyway? Hopefully Todd didn't advise Dr. Bryce on that one...political stupidity masquerading as a power play.
Red Oak politics at it's best!
Is there a doctor in the house?
The Ellis County Observer said...
Where was Andy Bell? I'm surprised he didn't second the proposal
He did and got slapped down by the rest of the Council in the process. Welcome to Earth...Andy!
That was a very uncomfortable meeting last night. Better than a sit-com...and all in "living" color.
These guys can not do what is right for the citizens of RO. Just ask them why the voted against Baylor Hospital. I was told it was because someone was promised a position, like that has not happened in politics(Chief of Police and other positions). Todd Little and daddy Ben Little also own the property that Baylor is looking at. Would they still be debating the issue if known terrorist in Ali Sharraf owned that piece of property or if Caseys Dad owned it?
Anonymous said...
Steve you should put the last 3 post from the election on here.
Anon...please feel free to copy and paste here on the comments area. We can kick that "Little DEAD HORSE" around if y'all want for a while. No problemo....
Ben, Casey and Eric have proven that they are the only one's that have grown up in this City as far as leaders go. Even a single celled Brain could figure that out. I love it when stupid people speak. It solidifies the fact that they are stupid. I don't believe I have had the pleasure of meeting this "Steve Miller" but I do believe we are going to get along. That was a real heart gripping speech that Scott put together on the fly last night! What ever! If it was all about the citizens of RO it wouldn't have gone down the way it did. If the city manager is smart (that's a stretch) he will resign. I'll be back.
APW
Red Oak Observer: the mayor "tried to orchestrate the entire evening via a phone call to Eric Smith... (made public by Mr. Smith)"
Remember you read it here first, folks: "Mayor Calls Councilman on Phone" How sinister!
By the way, it was Mr. Smith who asked the mayor to keep the contents of the phone call confidential, and not the other way around.
Anonymous, are you the same person who emailed me about Ali Sharaf's "terrorist" links. You better have damn good evidence of your claim...
By the way, it was Mr. Smith who asked the mayor to keep the contents of the phone call confidential, and not the other way around
Nope, you're mistaken Anon. I was there and Mr. Smith told the mayor in front of all that HE would keep the contents private since it was a private call.
That's not the issue....the mayor tried a play using Scott Lindsey as the chump and got smaked down.
That was interesting to me....NONE of the Council would second the nomination. That speaks out loud as to the current status of the Mayor right now. He is "sin huevos" now. Mr. Smith is the most powerful council person at the present time. His vote will be courted by all on the council. He's the kingmaker!
I think its about time to have a recall on the mayor. I think it would only take the 300 plus voters.
Eric can not be courted by the other side. Didn't you know he's hoppin mad. And not going to back down this time!!!
What good would recalling the mayor do when the City is run under a weak mayoral system? Bryce is not the main issue. The major points of heartburn for me are:
1. Lack of meaningful/truthful communication between City staff and Council
2. Continuing to not disclose information in a public venue after being requested by Council members
3. Doing obvious power plays/Kabuki plays like I witnessed on Monday night marginalizing the entire process
I'm sure I don't know the 1/2 of the issues but recalling the mayor at this point maybe the easiest to do but most difficult to manage plan of attack.
The mayor demonstrated his lack of leadership skills working with the Mayor-Pro-Tem issue. Mayor Bryce may be an excellent physician but showed he didn't have the attack mentaltity to punch through what he decided was a good choice.
One can't be recalled for being a poor mayor...just for making poor decisions for the city. Has this happened? If so, one could argue find another mayor.
Can anyone say Eric Smith for Mayor of Red Oak to fill the term?
I'd vote for him in a New York minute! He would be a GREAT choice and would bring real change to Red Oak.
You guys are a hoot!- "We don't like the mayor's pro tem choice, so let's recall him!"
Sure beats the he^^ out of watching TV doesn't it! :<)
I can see Eric's campaign slogan now: If You Don't Vote For Me, You Are a Racist!
Steve, you weren't the only one at the council meeting. Everybody who was there heard the mayor tell Eric that he would honor Eric's request to keep their conversation confidential.
P.S. Thanks for wanting to keep a clean blog!
Anonymous said...
I can see Eric's campaign slogan now: If You Don't Vote For Me, You Are a Racist!
Ron's campaign slogan...
Vote for me I AM racist! (after Monday night's fiasco)
Just had to do it...Bruuuuuahahaha
Exactly what was racist about Monday night, Steve?
Anonymous said...
Exactly what was racist about Monday night, Steve?
Trollin Trollin Trollin....
I think you should ask Eric Smith what he thought. My opinion doesn't count on that one.
Next leading or illustrating the obvious question?
Why don't you go and ask Eric what the city manager promised him if he did not vote with Ben and Casey to get him fired? You think that these are all good men, well they can all be bought. Eric is just like the other two up there. And I would not want a Mayor(Eric) that is going to play that damn race card everytime something does not go his way. Red Oak does not need that kind of crap. You should get the job because of who you are, not what color you are or aren't. And as soon as the person that Ben and Casey help get the position pisses them off, they will get rid of them too. They just love to stir up crap and stand back and watch it unfold, so that they can come to rescue and take the credit for cleaning it up. The meeting was a joke and should be embarrassing to all that was up there. Grown men still playing "mine is bigger than yours".
And Steve, why do you care who owns what land around here? As long as the proposals are good for the city, what do you care? Casey and his dad were involved in a lot of transactions around with land and no one seemed to care on the council, but if it has the Mayor, Littles or their friends involved, then it must be bad. Get out of Ben, Casey, and Eric's pocket and start being open minded. Take a second look at what everyone is promising. Swing votes go with the highest bidder, which means they can be bought. WHICH MEANS THAT THEY ARE NOT LOOKING OUT FOR RED OAK, BUT FOR THEMSELVES. But what is new for Red Oak.
I guess you didn't read all the responses...here's what I think, thought and stand by. If you think this is "being in anyone's pocket" oh well...you must be somewhat "dieter-minded".
Read it and thus endeth the lesson
Steve said....
I thought it was a little disingenuous for the mayor to cry foul and power play when it was obvious he tried to orchestrate the entire evening via a phone call to Eric Smith (made public by Mr. Smith) and Scott Lindsay's "litany of feigned outrage".
Kabuki theatre of the absurd IMHO!
Everyone of these guys needs to take a chill pill, open up a cold one, call each other what they really think of each other, put it on the table and stop the childish stuff. It's fun for we bloggers but not funny since it affects families, jobs, and the growth of the City. All are at fault and all apparently have claim!
===End of Steve's Rant===
That's about as open minded as I get. Any more "open minded" and I'll be bent over, rode hard and put up wet.
Anon...
I wanted to break my responses into two parts to make it easier reading for all...
As far as the Little's owning land...I don't care less that they do...I DO care if an elected position is utilized as leverage in development of an area such as the SW quadrant. That goes for the Mayor, Council, or ANY elected position in RO. If you have specific examples of Casey Hargrove or his father using his council seat as leverage, please post them with your real name or don't post them at all on this blog. Show us the list and I'll roast Casey just as well-done as you claim I should.
The ball's in your court anon...show us whatcha' got...it's crap or get off the pot.
Thanks
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