Where's Waldo?

Part of the reason our beloved Mayor for Life, King Francis the Eternal, has served in elected office for 38 years straight is that he has adopted a "buck stops some where else" attitude when it comes to controversial issues in city government.

Cicchinelli has mastered the 'blame game,' and the buck never stops at his desk.

Sewer rates need raised, or a new "storm water utility fee" needs created, Taxman Hersher takes the lead.

Time to negotiate new water rates. That's council's job. Rookie Councilman Gary Anderson, go negotiate with Aqua Ohio. We are confident their lawyers will be no match for a part time, first term member of city council.

City's broke, council needs to find "new revenue streams," and the auditor needs to propose cuts.

Someone dares run against his Lordship for mayor, and it can't be because the city's a mess, it must be the fault of "carpetbaggers," who want to "control the city."

Need a new contract with AT&T, that's the mayor's secretary's job.

Other than annexing neighboring communities, what exactly does our mayor do?

Today's Independent reported a discussion about how the city should pay for capital expenditures for the fire department, like ambulances and fire trucks.

Specifically, the discussion centered on how to pay for an almost $110,000 ambulance.

Councilman Donnie Peters wants to set aside 25% of emergency transport revenue to fund capital improvements. Auditor Jayne Ferrero is arguing that the city can't, because they need all the revenue for fire fighter salaries. Councilwoman Kathy Catazaro-Perry is offering a compromise to set aside a lower amount now, and possibly raise it in the future.

Donnie Peters, Jayne Ferrero, and Kathy Catazaro-Perry are all making legitimate, reasoned arguments. They all seem to want to purchase the ambulance, and all three have a different plan to do it.

This seems like an important issue. Capital equipment for the fire department. An ambulance to take people (us) to the hospital if we ever need medical transport.

So where the hell is Waldo?

Specifically, where is the mayor? Doesn't he have an opinion? Doesn't he have a plan? Doesn't he care?

It's not his problem.

It's up to the auditor and council.

The problem is that it's never his problem.

And that's the problem.