Leaving with Dignity

Councilman David Hersher wrote a letter to the Independent which was published today;

http://www.indeonline.com/opinion/x1157706742/An-honor-to-serve-community

Hersher stated that "It has been an honor to serve our friends and neighbors during my appointment to the Planning Commission and subsequent two terms on City Council" (The Independent, December 22, 2011).

Tonight, David Hersher departed his last city council meeting with some dignity and respect.

We haven't often agreed with Hersher.

He chose to make his brief political career an exercise in rubber stamping Mayor Frank Cicchinelli's policies, and fronting our Mayor for 8 Days' tax increases.

It was his choice.

And the voters replaced him.

Tonight, against what we imagine to be enormous pressure from the Cicchinelli camp, Hersher voted to create the Budget Director position Mayor Elect Kathy Catazaro-Perry believes is needed to help clean up the financial mess Frank Cicchinelli has left for her.

Team Cicchinelli opposed this for a whole host of reasons.

They are bitter about losing and absolutely do no want Catazaro-Perry to be successful.

They probably do not want a financial expert combing through the finances of the city, as what is discovered will not add gloss to the Cicchinelli legacy.

And they probably do not want a financial professional hired because to do so would be admitting there is a problem, and that Frank Cicchinelli was at the epicenter of its creation.

We are sure David Hersher is well aware of the reasons he was expected to vote no.

But we guess, deep within his heart, he does realize our city's finances are an unmitigated disaster.

And he probably even wishes Frank Cicchinelli put forth a modicum of effort in fixing them.

And he did the right thing last night, because, as he was ending his council career, he knew it was the right thing to do.

And when he got home after the meeting, or more likely on the drive home, he received an extraordinary tongue lashing for his treacherous vote.

It's a shame.

It's a shame he didn't start thinking for himself until the bitter end.

Had he exercised some independence and from time to time broke from the Cicchinelli party line, he may have still been a member of council come January 1st.

But at least now, he can look at himself in the mirror and know he did what was right.

And he left with dignity.

Which is an example our current mayor could learn from.