Baby Steps

Republican Councilman Donnie Peters has begun taking baby steps in his journey towards political independence. After recently developing a spine, which appears to be hardening and getting stronger, Peters has become less of a rubber stamp for Massillon's Mayor for Life, and more of a public servant who truly represents his constituents.

Peters vocally expressed his objections to our Mayor for Life's scheme to raid the Tuslaw School District, annex the Tuslaw schools, and grab $120,000 in income taxes from Tuslaw's school teachers. We thought this independent behavior was a one time anomaly, and that Peters would once more resume his role as a faithful Cicchinelli lackey.

Nope.

When Taxman Hersher unveiled his scheme to tack on a "storm water utility fee" to residents' sewer bills, Peters once more opposed the regime. Peters was adamantly opposed to the fee. This was the second time he opposed the wishes of Boss Cicchinelli. Would there be a third? Remember, three strikes and you are out...

When the City's phone contract with AT&T was about to expire, and no efforts were made by the Administration to seek a new agreement, the Mayor's secretary, Mary Anne Coyne, was chosen to fall on her sword, so our Mayor for Life, in Houdini like fashion, could once again escape the shackles of blame. Coyne was offered up to "accept some of the blame in the matter" (The Independent, October 13, 2010).

Donnie Peters surprisingly spoke up to complain about the mishandling of the city's phone system.

"Councilman Donnie Peters was furious two weeks ago when Safety-Service Director Mike Loudiana brought the contract to council's attention. Upset that the contract had been brought to council only three weeks before it expired, Peters demanded to know if the administration had researched all its options" (The Independent, October 13, 2010).

Peters "was upset," and Peters "demanded to know." Donnie Peters? Really? We were shocked with Donnie Peters' new mavericky behavior. He once again bucked the King.

Peters even received praise from the Independent;

"Cheers to Councilman Donnie Peters for calling out city officials for waiting until the last minute to inform City Council of the city's expiring telephone contract" (The Independent, October 18, 2010).

Would this mavericky behavior continue from our once proud RINO (Republican In Name Only)?

It would.

At last night's council meeting, city council passed a new phone contract on an 8-1 vote. The lone dissenter complained that they "did not have enough time to research the plan" (The Independent, October 19, 2010). Who was this lone dissenter who dared question our Mayor for Life's proposed phone contract? Was it Kathy Catazaro-Perry? Nope.Was it Gary Anderson? Nope. It was Donnie Peters, flexing his new spine, and questioning the decisions of our beloved Mayor for Life's administration.

The community can be proud of the baby steps towards political independence that Councilman Donnie Peters is taking. The big question is whether or not this new found independence will last, or will Donnie be brought back to the fold, where he may once again faithfully, albeit blindly, rubber stamp for the mayor.

We are confident the mayor's loyal enforcer, Council President Glenn Gamber, will be working feverishly to return the prodigal councilman back to the flock.