Cuba has six aldermen; two from each ward. Each alderman is supposed to represent the citizens who live in his ward. That is a fact.
This is a question: Why do we bother to elect aldermen when the mayor, whenever he feels like it, ignores our ordinances, steals the power of our elected representatives, and does whatever he wants behind their backs...and ours?
A perfect example is Recklein Auditorium. By ordinance, the aldermen, not the mayor, have the power to decide how to repair our public buildings. The mayor doesn’t even have a vote unless the aldermen’s vote ends in a tie. Nevertheless, the mayor ordered city employees to repair the roof without so much as discussing it with the aldermen.
Thanks to the mayor, this historical building is now without its dormer. Thanks to the mayor, about 1/3 of the shingles on the south side of the roof clearly don’t match the rest of the roof. Not a single alderman had the opportunity to even suggest options for repairing the roof. The mayor stole every alderman’s right to represent his ward in this matter.
The mayor was called to account for his actions at the February 17 council meeting. He excused his illegal power grab by saying the roof had leaked for years and needed to be fixed. He added that you wouldn’t let your roof in your home leak.
So, if the mayor wouldn’t let a roof leak, why did he let the Auditorium’s roof leak for years? After all, he has been mayor for nearly two years and was alderman for a long time before that. He knew the Auditorium had been leaking for years, but he showed no concern until a couple of weeks ago. I am sure it is only coincidence that the election in which the mayor hopes to be reelected is just a few weeks away.
And how about the exhibit hall in Hood Park? Its roof has been leaking for about five years. The leaks have damaged the ceiling and drywall; even the trusses are showing water damage. Why does the mayor let this roof leak? What is the difference between it and the Auditorium’s roof?
I would like to know where this mayor gets off thinking he can take over the duties of the aldermen that we, the citizens, elect?
And finally, I would like to know who is going to hold this mayor accountable and when?
Jackie Hunt
Cuba
